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SDGs . Rapid economic growth , expanding populations and increasing prosperity are driving up demand for energy , water and food , especially in developing countries . By 2050 , the demand for energy will nearly double globally , with water and food demand estimated to increase by over 50 %. The ability of existing water , energy and food systems to meet this growing demand , meanwhile , is constrained given the competing needs for limited resources and the climate change impacts .
A framework to overcome these challenges must consider the ways that activities in different sectors interact , including their respective pressures on natural resources . A “ nexus ” approach can help to formulate goals and targets that minimize trade-offs and maximize synergies between goals , making the SDGs more cost-effective and efficient , reducing the risk that progress towards one goal will undermine progress towards another , and ensuring sustainable resource use .
OFID : a Leader in Alleviating Energy Poverty As a development institution of almost 40-years ’ standing , OFID is well aware that energy is part of a bigger picture in terms of achieving sustainable development . In fact , it was OFID that first labelled access to energy services as the “ ninth ” MDG .
OFID intensified its fight against energy poverty following the call by its Member Countries in the Declaration of the Third OPEC Summit held in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia , in November 2007 . OFID responded to this mandate promptly and launched its Energy for the Poor Initiative ( EPI ) in 2008 . Since then , energy poverty alleviation has been OFID ’ s primary strategic focus , with activities carried out at both an advocacy level and an operational level . enhanced OFID ’ s role in the international framework , adding to its existing partnerships with organizations such as the World Bank , the Asian Development Bank , CAF , and IFAD .
In June 2012 , OFID ’ s Ministerial Council issued a declaration that was announced by OFID Management at the Rio + 20 Summit , committing a minimum US $ 1bn to the EPI . These resources have helped to boost OFID ’ s energy access portfolio , which extends to over 80 countries and draws on all financing windows .
Since 2008 , OFID has channeled more than US $ 2.1bn to a diverse range of energy access activities , including 65 projects with a combined cost over US $ 20bn which provided power exceeding 14,000MW and extending electricity grids by 32,000km .
Within the context of the SDGs , interventions related to the energy-waterfood nexus will move higher up the agenda of governments , development finance institutions and project sponsors . It is for this very reason that OFID adopted the energy-water-food nexus as the theme of its Corporate Plan 2016-2025 . By aligning its strategic plan with the nexus , OFID has also aligned itself with the new development agenda and global aspirations for the next 15 years . �
In fighting energy poverty , OFID considers both traditional and renewable energy sources to be viable and pursues both in the quest for solutions . From OFID ’ s experience , there is no one-size-fits-all . Energy mix solutions need to satisfy the basic energy needs of the poor .
In 2011 , OFID ’ s pioneering efforts as the champion of energy poverty alleviation led to it becoming a member of the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All ( SE4ALL ) initiative and its advisory board . This has
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