Scaling Up Renewable Energy (SURE)

USAID Energy

Global – 2017–Ongoing

Through the Scaling Up Renewable Energy program, USAID helps partner countries power economies, meet international climate commitments, and strengthen energy security via private investment in, and competitive procurement of, clean electricity.

  • Annual Report
    FY 2023

    Scaling Up Renewable Energy 2023 Annual Report

    In 2023, SURE worked across the globe, advising governments, utilities, private developers, banks, and others on actions to increase renewable energy deployment and integration, improve electricity access, and power brighter futures for all. Read the report

Technological advancements continue to drive renewable energy prices down, often making electricity from solar and wind cheaper than fossil fuel sources. Renewables power economies while opening markets to private investment, combating the climate crisis, and creating local jobs for people in rural and remote areas where industry and employment may be scarce.

Our Work

USAID’s Scaling Up Renewable Energy (SURE) program helps partner countries meet bold international climate commitments by accelerating their transition to more widely accessible, affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy that spurs economic growth, powers health systems, and reduces emissions.

Through SURE, USAID provides renewable energy planning, procurement, grid integration, and circular economy support services, including trainings, tools, and resources to help policymakers, utilities, and regulators modernize energy sectors and create policies that enable renewable energy markets to flourish.

As more partner countries aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reduce hazardous waste, SURE’s Innovation Fund identifies opportunities and builds partnerships to deploy clean energy technology, implement energy efficiency innovation, and promote a circular economy for renewable energy equipment.

  • Advancing Strategic Energy Planning

    Energy planning determines when, where, and how to invest. When done well, today’s decisions address tomorrow’s needs and challenges. Learn more

  • Increasing Competition and Lowering Costs

    Countries can achieve historically low energy prices when energy providers compete in open and transparent markets. Learn more

  • Accelerating Grid Integration

    As prices for clean energy and storage technologies continue to fall and nations explore ways to cut emissions, integrating higher shares of variable renewable energy becomes more urgent and complex. Learn more

  • Promoting a Circular Economy

    A circular economy for renewable energy can reduce emissions and pressure on natural resources, chart innovative pathways to net-zero economies, create sustainable economic growth and jobs, and reduce supply chain risk. Learn more

  • Tackling the Climate Crisis

    By working together, we can accelerate an equitable, sustainable, and inclusive transition to net zero economies. USAID is leading a collaborative effort to rapidly reduce energy-related emissions. Learn more

  • Catalyzing Innovation and Partnership

    Innovation and experimentation are critical in accelerating the clean energy transition. USAID cultivates new solutions, tests new ideas, and scales what works. Learn more

Impact

Through the SURE program, USAID helps partner countries accelerate the clean energy transition. More countries are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and reaping the social and economic benefits of renewable energy. By working together and applying evidence-based approaches, local economies are seeing an increase in private investment in the renewable energy market. More people have the skills to transition to the clean energy economy. Institutions are better equipped to respond to energy and climate challenges. And more people have cleaner and more reliable electricity.

Between 2017 and 2022, USAID’s SURE program achieved the following results:

  •  112.7M tCO₂e of GHG emissions reduced or avoided through 2030
  •  $8.96 Billion of investment mobilized for clean energy
  •  5,289 Persons trained in clean energy
  •  13 Auctions for clean energy supported
  •  11.5 GW of clean energy generation capacity procured
  •  651 Institutions with improved capacity to address clean energy issues
  •  17 Laws, Policies, regulations, or standards addressing clean energy proposed, adopted, or implemented
  •  87 Tools proposed, developed, adopted or implemented
  •  6,751 Persons (4,083 women, 2,668 men) trained to advance outcomes consistent with gender equality or female empowerment through their roles in public or private sector institutions or organizations

Stories

USAID’s SURE program advances equitable and ambitious actions to confront the climate crisis. Getting it right leads us to a more resilient, prosperous, and equitable world with net-zero emissions.

  • Climatelinks.org

    How a Circular Economy Can Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions by One-Third

    USAID has a unique and timely opportunity to help reshape the renewable energy ecosstem and promote a circular economy approach to renewable energy, plastics, and other sectors. Read the story

  • STORY MAP

    Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition Through Auctions

    View data on USAID-supported renewable energy auctions worldwide and learn how partner countries use auctions to achieve sustainable cost reductions, reduce emissions, and increase energy security.View the Story Map.

Trainings and Events

In today’s rapidly evolving renewable energy marketplace, it can be challenging to keep track of emerging trends and best practices in renewable energy policy, innovations, and market trends. SURE hosts in-person and online events to help partners gain knowledge and capacity to succeed and be self-reliant. We are committed to interventions that are country-led and country-owned.

  • Webinar

    Circular Economy for Sustainable Renewable Energy

    Learn about the use of ecolabels such as EPEAT to advance sustainable renewable energy supply chains and promote the transition to a circular economy. View the webinar

  • Webinar

    Exploring Energy Efficiency Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Learn how energy efficiency tools applied by USAID in sub-Saharan countries can reduce electricity costs for businesses and consumers over the long term while creating local jobs and reducing emissions. View the webinar

Contacts

Amanda Valenta USAID Senior Energy Specialist

Sarah Lawson USAID Senior Energy Specialist