Publications
Millions of people rely on unelectrified health facilities, and thousands of schools operate without power — hampering the delivery of essential services and undermining decades of development investment.
A new ESMAP report examines why conventional electrification approaches continue to fall short, and presents a proven framework for change. The report finds that the primary barrier is not technology but sustainability: one-time solar installations routinely fail due to poor maintenance and the lack of accountability mechanisms, trapping governments in a costly "install-and-forget" cycle.
The report introduces the Public-Private Partnerships for People's Prosperity (5P) framework, which shifts electrification from one-time asset procurement to long-term, performance-based service contracts. By blending predictable public funding with donor support and private investment, the 5P approach ensures that solar systems are not just installed but maintained, monitored, and delivering results over time.
Reliable electricity for schools and clinics is not a sectoral issue. It unlocks vaccine cold chains, digital learning, clean water, and connectivity — driving progress across health, education, energy, and economic development goals simultaneously.
Feature Story | When the Lights Went Out
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Video | Sustainably Electrifying Schools and Health Facilities
Learn more about ESMAP's Electricity Access Program
Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). 2026.
Sustainable Energy for Schools and Health Centers: Public -Private Partnerships for People’s Prosperity. ESMAP Papers. Washington, DC: World Bank
