IFC International Finance : Energy Storage Primed for Dramatic Growth in Emerging Markets, Helping Renewable Power

Abu Dhabi/Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2017-New research from the World Bank Group shows that energy storage technology will become more accessible in emerging markets in the coming decade, enabling a significant scale-up of renewable energy as a clean source of electricity generation.

The new report commissioned by IFC and the World Bank-administered Energy Sector Management Assistance Program projects a 40-fold increase in developing countries' stationary energy storage capacity by 2025, with more than 80 gigawatts (GW) expected to be added over that time period to today's 's 2 GW of installed electricity storage capacity.

'Energy storage technology will be critical in the expansion of renewable energy in remote and rural areas that lack grid infrastructure or reliable electricity supplies,' said IFC Executive Vice President and CEO Philippe Le Houérou. 'By dramatically expanding the capacity to store energy, these technologies will help countries meet their renewable energy targets, support the demand for clean energy, and help bring electricity to the 1.2 billion people who currently lack access.'

The expansion of battery and other stationary storage technology would make it possible for emerging markets to deploy solar photovoltaic and wind-powered electricity with less need for fossil fuel-fired power plants to provide backup when it is cloudy, rainy, or still. Stationary energy storage can support utility-sized, distributed, and remote power systems such as micro-and nano-grids, providing the means to capture and redeploy energy generated from renewable sources on a continuous 24/7 basis.

Addressing climate change and supporting a transition to low-carbon growth is a strategic priority for the World Bank Group and for IFC, a member of the World Bank Group and one of the world's largest financiers of renewable energy and a major supporter of energy efficiency and other climate-smart solutions for emerging markets. Supporting clean energy solutions has been a strategic priority for IFC for well over a decade.

Riccardo Puliti, Senior Director and Head of Energy and Extractives at the World Bank, said the development of energy storage markets was important as countries work to implement the COP-21 international climate agreement. 'The World Bank Group is committed to creating the right environment to attract investment in the energy storage market,' he said. 'Continued innovation in energy storage technology and financing are vital to empower countries to meet the climate-smart targets set in the Paris agreement.'

The report is availablehere.

About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with 2,000 businesses worldwide, we use our six decades of experience to create opportunity where it's needed most. In FY16, our long-term investments in developing countries rose to nearly $19 billion, leveraging our capital, expertise and influence to help the private sector end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visitwww.ifc.org

About ESMAP
The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) is a global knowledge and technical assistance program administered by the World Bank. It assists low- and middle-income countries to increase their know-how and institutional capacity to achieve environmentally sustainable energy solutions for poverty reduction and economic growth. For more information, visitwww.esmap.org.

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