Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) 2025-30

Efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve the SDGs are off-track to reach 2030 targets. Renewable energy is crucial to catch up. It contributes to fighting climate change and expanding energy access at the same time. That is why the parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change have committed to triple renewable energy and double improvement in energy efficiency. In addition, to meet net-zero emissions by 2050 will require the quadrupling of annual investments in the energy sector in developing countries. ESMAP is one of the solutions provided by the World Bank to unlock more financing and impact in the energy sector.

The program's objectives are to 1) ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services by 2030, 2) accelerate transition towards a sustainable, just and decarbonized energy system, and 3) ensure resilience of the energy sector to adapt to the impacts of climate change and other shocks. ESMAP is the competence center for energy of the World Bank. It acts as the specialised unit for all questions in relation with energy transition and is therefore able to support the World Bank's energy programs in the beneficiary countries through grants, analysis, advisory and project development activities. Furthermore, ESMAP is managing global knowledge on innovative technologies (such as for example offshore wind) in order to provide guidance to practitioners and policymakers. In addition, ESMAP provides financing to activities implemented by a beneficiary country to accelerate the roll-out of innovative technologies.

The program provides support that universal energy access is achieved by 2030 through the establishment of favorable framework conditions in the beneficiary countries for electrification, and enhanced public and private investments in electrification

Beneficiary countries are supported to a) modernise their energy systems, b) make their respective institutions effective, c) shape markets and policies and d) make data-driven decisions

The energy transition is advanced through scaled up renewable energy, energy storage and clean hydrogen, the transitioning away from unabated fossil fuel, and scaled-up energy efficiency and the decarbonization of end-users

The partnership with ESMAP is long-term and the funding also contributes to achieve Switzerland's climate objectives.

Erwartete Resultate:  

Knowledge products (flagship reports, workshops/conferences/study tours, global data tracking and benchmarking, project enhancement tools and data, etc.)

Hands-on project support (advisory support and capacity building to formulate energy related projects in beneficiary countries)

Financing of programs in beneficiary countries (through the Clean Cooking Fund, the Electricity Access Fund)

Mobilization of additional resources for specific topics (for example resources of the Green Climate Fund)

Pilot engagements for innovative technologies and mechanisms (for example floating photovoltaic, clean hydrogen, and offshore wind)

Catalytic partnerships with key initiatives (such as for example Hydrogen for Development, Sustainable Renewables Risk Mitigation Initiative)

Deliverables in beneficiary countries (for example strategies and roadmaps, policy notes, prefeasibility studies, investment plans, technical reports, etc.)

Resultate von früheren Phasen:  

During its last phase of implementation from 2021 to 2024, ESMAP was funded with USD 541 Mio (CHF 13 Mio from SECO). The following results were achieved:

USD 33 billion World Bank financing informed, including USD 19.6 billion in climate co-benefits

19 billion external financing mobilized, including from the private sector

16.5 gigawatt generation capacity of renewable energy to be installed

711 million metric tons of CO2 emissions projected to be reduced

100 million people on their way to gain access to electricity