Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP)

ESMAP is a think tank whose world-class experts gather and analyze data on energy access, cooking practices, renewable energy expansion, and end-use decarbonization solutions in hard-to-abate sectors including energy efficiency practices. Drawing from multiple sources, their teams develop global and country-specific data sets whose comprehensive rigor has gained the confidence of partners including governments, private investors, utility managers, and policymakers, among others.

ESMAP unit has within it an Energy Climate Finance Team that works in close collaboration with Climate Investment Funds, the Global Environment Facility, the Canada Facility, the Green Climate Fund, and others. ESMAP teams bring technical experience in structuring innovative delivery solutions that blend World Bank lending and concessional lending from the Bank’s International Development Association with concessional climate finance from global, as well as bilateral providers. In addition, ESMAP programs also secure private capital and grant financing, including contributions from philanthropic foundations.

ESMAP leverages its knowledge and proximity to project design and finance to be a catalyst, igniting transformation. ESMAP teams convene experts who share their experience with energy sector decision-makers in developing countries. This encourages country policy and planning officials to integrate new technologies and apply innovative policy incentives and regulations. ESMAP enables energy leaders from one country or region to visit their counterparts in another area, learning—and often adopting—new approaches, tools, and practices. Our global network of energy insiders, built over 40 years and reinforced by its integration into World Bank teams in over 100 countries, makes ESMAP a supercharged expert group with force-multiplier impact. With its donors and clients shaping the context, ESMAP has fostered integrated multi-country power pools, helped introduce energy storage technologies, and scaled up solar, onshore, and offshore wind implementation, as well as off-grid and mini grid solar use. It has jump-started countries’ plans to reform costly subsidies and effect transitions away from coal. There is magic and power in action, and ESMAP catalyzes that action.

ESMAP’s sustained presence and track record make it a trusted leader. Its guidance is sought by energy sector practitioners and decision-makers at all levels, from those installing wind, solar farms, and mini grids, to energy ministers at the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy. By its unique attributes—knowledge, access to finance, and catalytic role—ESMAP is at the hub of the global conversation on energy solutions. It has fostered long-term engagements with energy leaders in multiple countries. These relationships allow ESMAP to build partnerships among governments, utilities, investors—both institutional and private—and experts in energy management and technology. ESMAP is continually building new networks, sustained by the flow of expertise and financing spread across them. Its direct connection to World Bank operations ensures that its experience-driven advice is widely disseminated. Its adherence to World Bank Group protocols and standards delivers disciplined reporting and accountability, inspiring confidence among clients, donors, and investors that agreements will be met.

ESMAP’s robust analytical work, driven by data and analysis, along with its pilot-test projects, mitigate risk and demonstrate that scaled-up investment is not only possible, but highly attractive.