The term energy access has variousconnotations to energy development specialists. For thisreview, we define energy access as relating both to physicalproximity to energy infrastructure and to the policies andframeworks supporting the transition to better, reliable,and more efficient use of electricity and modern fuels. Thisviewpoint frames energy access as a development processsometimes referred to as the energy transition that startswith reliance on low-quality energy sources (straw, dung,candles) and finishes when high-quality energy sources, suchas commercial fuels or electricity, are available. Access tothese higher-quality energy sources allow for services(lighting, communication, cooling, pumping), which are notavailable at lower rungs of the energy ladder. This reportfocuses on the World Bank's portfolio of energyaccess-related projects approved during most of the pastdecade (FY2000-08). The objectives of the review were tocompile an up-to-date data base on energy access-relatedassistance commitments and review current trends andpatterns of energy access-related assistance. The authorsalso wanted to examine to the greatest extent possible thelessons that could be learned across regions, focusing onpolicy and project design recommendations. Finally, it wasimportant to establish a solid methodology for measuringenergy access in order to provide a baseline for futurereviews of the investment portfolio. This study focuses onthe World Bank's role in energy access investments forthe period between fiscal years 2000 and 2008. Developingand transition countries face huge investments in energyaccess in order to meet their commitments to achieving theMillennium Development Goals (MDGs).
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