Community energy projects in Africa

An online exhibition looking at the people and projects bringing sustainable energy solutions to communities in Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique features in Sheffield's Festival of Social Science from 23 October to 9 November 2025.

Electricity in Malawi
Electricity provision in Malawi

Community Energy Systems and Sustainable Energy Transitions in Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique (CESET) is a 3 -year collaborative multi-institutional research partnership funded by the UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund and led by Professor Vanesa Castán Broto.

 The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7) calls for “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by 2023.

The CESET project focuses on how renewable community energy systems can contribute to sustainable energy development and be a solution for universal access to energy, particularly for those living in rural areas and vulnerable groups.

The online exhibition is linked to the ESRC’s Festival of Social Science theme for 2025 of ‘our working lives’ as the featured videos demonstrate how people in the global south are harnessing off grid electricity to support healthcare, business development and food production.

View the exhibition on Sheffield's iPlayer 

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