Supporting a self-sustained energy planning ecosystem: Lessons from Sierra Leone

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for the achievement of universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. To fulfil this ambition, least developed countries need to mobilise enormous investments in a short amount of time. Deciding the extent, priority and timing of these investments is a hard task, for which many governments currently lack internal resources. Development Partners are supporting these efforts by contributing to the national energy planning ecosystems. In this comment, we focus on the role of Development Partners. We reflect on the approach to support strategic energy planning they took so far and on how they may improve it to further – and more effectively - support countries where demand arises. We take the example of one recent capacity development effort in Sierra Leone. We highlight that academia is one pillar of the national energy planning ecosystem, and conclude that academic partnerships play a critical role in changing the paradigm from short-term capacity transfer to a more sustainable capacity development. Formalised academic partnerships may increase the retention of capacity and support national planning ecosystems in becoming more self-sustained. Increased knowledge sharing on best open practices for energy data and model infrastructure may further support the ecosystem by improving the communication between academia, government and utilities.