Energy access and economic growth are closely linked. Each increase in access to energy accessibility increases economic growth. For South Asia’s poor communities, energy access can help pave the path out of poverty. The region has abundant resources, yet less than half of the households in the South Asia have access to commercial energy. Mutually beneficial, cross-border trade and investment can help the nations of South Asia address their energy needs.

USAID’s South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy (SARI/Energy) facilitates the cost-effective use of energy through cross-border trade and investment between Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Promoting regional energy security through increased energy diversification, reduced prices and improved accessibility for consumers, SARI/Energy:

• Shares and replicates regional models for productive energy use in vulnerable communities
• Provides technical assistance to help participants identify their energy needs and create energy development plans
• Trains energy sector leaders in energy security, distribution and regulatory reform, and cost efficiency
• Increases the region’s institutional capacity to collect, analyze and disseminate energy data
• Opens dialogues between the private and public sectors on key energy issues.

SARI/E’s efforts have produced important transnational projects such as the Indian firm TATA’s construction of a $2 billion power plant in Bangladesh. At the local level, standards and quality control mechanisms have been developed to allow communities to access energy through micro-hydro systems and small wind farms.