Challenges

Limited modern energy access hindered socioeconomic development in Ethiopia, where a centralized renewable model was absent. Between 2016 and 2019, only 43-48% of the population had electricity coverage.[1] While around 93% of urban households were connected to the grid, only 36% of rural households had access to electricity in 2019.[2] Most new initiatives on renewable energy development had targeted off-grid and household electricity uses. However, public institutions and productive energy uses may require different technology answers.

Simultaneously, Sri Lanka’s heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels and biomass drives elevated greenhouse gas emissions—59% from energy industries and 27% from agriculture. Underdeveloped renewable markets, limited technical capacity and financial constraints, hindered the scale-up of biogas and solar technologies. The agro-industry contended with fragmented energy data, fuel-driven irrigation, excessive fertilizer use and livestock emissions. Institutional complexity, policy gaps and low awareness of renewable potential further impeded the sustainable, low-carbon transition.

[1] https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?locations=ET

[2] https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.UR.ZS?locations=ET

Toward a Solution

To enhance local access to clean and renewable energy through knowledge and technology transfer, Ministry of Commerce of China (MoFCOM), Government of Ethiopia, Government of Sri Lanka, and UNDP co-funded two Trilateral South-South Cooperation (TSSC) projects on Renewable Energy. The projects piloted an integrated and innovative model of co-financing, joint design, and collaborative implementation among China, Ethiopia, and Sri Lanka at both management and technical level.

The projects emerged from the need to scale up renewable energy technologies for climate-resilient growth. Through trials and demonstrations of biogas and solar energy for productive uses, they supported energy access and sustainable resource consumption. Serving as a learning platform, the projects enabled the three countries to collaborate internationally on renewable energy technology and skills transfer. The projects align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The projects were jointly implemented by the Administrative Centre for China’s Agenda 21 (ACCA 21), the Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia (MoWE), the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), China Agricultural University (CAU), as well as UNDP country offices in China, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka.

The projects had achieved following key outcomes:

1. Strengthened renewable energy technology transfer capacity in Ethiopia through biogas and solar system demonstrations in hospitals, universities, condominiums, and industrial zones.
2. Demonstrated hybrid renewable technology systems for energy savings and GHG emission reductions in Sri Lanka’s small and medium agro-industries.
3. Facilitated South-South knowledge and experience exchange.

The five aspects highlighted below ensured the successful outcomes, sustainability, and replicability of the projects:

1. Collaborative Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: Involving UNDP and the three partner countries promoted co-financing, joint design, and implementation, fostering collaboration, mutual understanding, and accountability.
2. Capacity Building in Renewable Energy: The biogas system at Wolaita Sodo University in Ethiopia served as a model for institutional renewable energy adoption, while international knowledge exchange visits enhanced country ownership and innovation.
3. Flexible Project Management: Adaptive management ensured resilience to external shocks like COVID-19 and economic crises, demonstrating the importance of flexible planning for maintaining community satisfaction.
4. Five-Step Methodology: UNDP’s approach—engaging stakeholders, assessing needs, formulating responses, implementing, and evaluating—provided a strong foundation for capacity development.
5. Long-Term Sustainability and Research Linkages: Establishing the Joint Research and Extension Centre (JREC) with Chinese and local institutions ensures ongoing technical support and collaboration in research and higher education.

These two TSSC projects showcase a progressive model of international development where China, Ethiopia, and Sri Lanka jointly address energy challenges by sharing knowledge, technology, and resources. By leveraging the distinct strengths of each country, they crafted tailored solutions that met local needs and contributed to broader global commitments like sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

In Ethiopia, the project effectively adapted renewable energy technologies to the local socio-economic and environmental context, significantly enhancing the country’s renewable energy capacities and creating a model for future cooperation. It demonstrated the transformative power of collaborative international efforts in boosting climate resilience and energy access.

In Sri Lanka, the project aligned with the national goal of achieving ‘Carbon Net Zero’ by 2050. The collaboration enabled the deployment of cutting-edge renewable energy technologies that integrated seamlessly with local energy strategies. The project’s success underscores the vital role of South-South cooperation in driving substantial environmental progress through shared goals and mutual support.

In conclusion, this trilateral initiative stands as a successful and replicable model of cooperation that bridges technical expertise, financial resources, and cross-border knowledge exchange. By leveraging complementary strengths through co-creation and shared learning, the projects have advanced Sustainable Development Goals while addressing local energy transition needs. It demonstrates how Southern-led partnerships can deliver context-sensitive solutions through equitable participation and localized technology transfer. This achievement is expected to inspire future multilateral collaborations that harness shared expertise to tackle global challenges, accelerating progress toward climate resilience and energy justice worldwide.