Exploring the Renewable Energy Landscape in Least Developed Countries: Generation, Trade and Endowments

This paper, the first of a two-part series, examines the renewable energy landscape in least developed countries (LDCs) and explores the scope to expand renewable energy generation and trade in these countries by maximising the potential of their renewable energy endowments. It begins with a detailed overview of existing renewable energy generation capacity across the group of LDCs, paying particular attention to Commonwealth LDC solar, wind, hydro and bioenergy generation. Thereafter, Section 3 examines the state of energy trade involving Commonwealth LDCs and explores opportunities for them to increase their exports of renewable energy. Section 4 assesses the renewable energy generation potential in LDCs through an analysis of their raw solar and wind resource endowments. The paper concludes by highlighting practical considerations for LDCs to accelerate their renewable energy transitions and maximise the trade, growth and economic development potential of their renewable energy resource endowments.