This article provides a brief outline on the issue of electricity access and provides some options on how this gap can be addressed through research and development embedded in evidence and exemplar projects.

Professor AbuBakr Bahaj and Professor Patrick James from the Energy and Climate Change Division at the University of Southampton have contributed an article Power to the People: The mini-grid solution to rural electrification for the UN75: Sustainable Engineering in Action book, which marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.

The University of Southampton has developed and launched a new Sustainability Strategy to sit alongside the University Travel Plan, Estates Strategy and Biodiversity Policy. The Energy and Climate Change Division (ECCD) team has contributed to the consulting phases and made comments on the approaches to be undertaken within the Strategy. Prof Bahaj is also leading the University Sustainability Implementation Group which arose as a result of the Strategy.

The Energy and Climate Change Division (ECCD) introduce the newly developed Performance Tracker for Southampton City Council’s Green City Charter (GCC) as part of the GCC first celebration.

The International Conference on Evolving Cities (ICEC2021) hosted by the University of Southampton is scheduled for 22 – 24 September 2021.

14th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (EWTEC 2021) to be hosted byat the University of Plymouth on 5th to 9th September.

The 6th Africa Mini Grids Summit in Nairobi, Kenya is scheduled for the 25-26th February 2021 to discuss advancing successful mini grid and solar home systems in Africa.

ECCD virtual seminar runs every Wednesday lunchtime from 13:30-14:00 on Microsoft Teams with a 20 minute talk from a member of ECCD or an invited speaker.