On 6 August, IED circulated the Sector-Wide Evaluation of the Energy Policy and Program 2009-2019 to the Board. Among the findings of the evaluation, energy sector projects from 2009 to 2019 were found to be 81% successful on average – which is greater than the ADB average of 65%. Sovereign operations in the sector, while rated highly relevant were drawn back in terms of efficiency because of implementation delays. Nonsovereign operations in the sector were driven by good development results and investment profitability.The energy program was found to be crucial in terms of expanding and enhancing access to electricity and increasing the share of renewables.
The program, however, was found to be wanting with respect to:
- “last mile” electrification;
- off-grid systems;
- clean cooking;
- demand-side energy efficiency;
- sector reforms and governance;
- policy development for regional integration; and,
- climate resilience.
There were five recommendations made along the lines of the policy and strategy; and, operations and organization. On the whole, the evaluation recommended to revisit and update the Energy Policy with climate change mitigation and adaptation at the core of its priorities and aligning the policy with Strategy 2030. The most notable recommendation, however, is the formal withdrawal of ADB from financing newly added capacity of coal-fired power and heat generation, help DMCs phase-out coal-based power and mitigate the environmental and climate impacts of their existing coal fleet, and establishing sound screening criteria for other fossil fuels.