Mapping synergies and trade-offs between energy and the sustainable development goals: A case study of off-grid solar energy in Rwanda

Highlights: • A rapid assessment methodology for context-specific outcome of off-grid energy. • First in-country case study of linkages between off-grid energy sector and SDGs. • Identified synergies between 80 SDG Targets and off-grid solar systems. • Benefits and impacts from off-grid solar energy are wide-ranging. • Policies prioritising investment in the off-grid sector will help realise the SDGs. Energy access is crucial for human well-being and poverty reduction. In sub-Saharan Africa, the failure of grid systems to provide electricity access to last mile users has led to the rapid scale up of off-grid solutions. The authors examine synergies and tradeoffs between solar off-grid solutions and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Rwanda which as a nation has successfully implemented innovative solar off-grid systems at scale. This paper is the first to map the relationship between energy and the 169 Targets of the 2030 Agenda in a specific country and sector context by operationalising the framework developed in Fuso Nerini et al. (2018). By doing so, this paper demonstrates the need for context-specific rapid assessment tools to monitor and improve energy access. The paper identifies synergies between 80 (47%) of the SDG targets and off-grid solar systems in Rwanda, thus demonstrating the wideranging benefits and value added through the inclusion of the off-grid solar energy sector in the electrification strategy. The paper demonstrates how mainstreaming off-grid policies and prioritising investment in the off-grid sector can realise human development and well-being, build physical and social infrastructures, and achieve sustainable management of environmental resources.