Workshop: Financing development projects for energy transition in low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries

Brief Description:

Access to development finance continues to be a challenge for energy transition in LMIC countries. This is not only due to the availability of development capital, but also because, in many cases, the value chains and innovation capacity required are absent or underdeveloped. This workshop will provide an arena for discussing how energy transition‐focused development projects in LMIC can be financed. We will explore barriers to and evaluate options for improving access to finance for energy transition in LMIC. The workshop aims to develop a more comprehensive approach to financing these projects by highlighting the importance of the value chain and the necessary innovation and partnerships.

Context and Linkages:

Norway, Nepal, and Mexico (among others) are part of the preparatory committee for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) to be held in Seville, Spain in June–July 2025. SINTEF is in discussions to hold an international conference in Norway (2025) with a focus related to the GSD’s Water and Energy, in collaboration with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). This workshop will provide inputs for the Seville conference and lay the groundwork for hosting the Water and Energy conference later in 2025.

Plan for the Workshop

The workshop will bring together participants from the private sector, public sector, NGOs, researchers, and policy makers. It will be divided into three one-hour sessions focusing on different topics related to financing development projects for energy transition in LMIC:

Each session will involve short inputs (5–7 minutes) from two key speakers, followed by a discussion led by previously identified respondents and moderated by a session chair.