Energy

Infrastructure

News

World Bank energy strategy review considers reversing phaseout of support for gas production

As World Bank pushes to provide electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 under Mission 300, it considers lifting ban on support for gas production.

15 July 2025

Infrastructure

News

World Bank’s controversial support for Inga 3 dam signals return to big hydropower projects

CSOs criticise Bank’s return to financing ‘top-down mega dams’ and question its claims that project will resolve energy access deficit in DR Congo.

15 July 2025

Infrastructure

Analysis

Will the World Bank be a partner for a just energy transition in developing countries?

As renewable energy finance shifts from China to the World Bank, whether the Bank can be a partner for a just energy transition depends on three areas: strong environmental and social oversight, avoiding a new resource curse in minerals and debt relief during crises.

15 July 2025 | At Issue
Wind Farm in desert near Hurghada, Egypt. Photo: MaguedM/Shutterstock

Infrastructure

Analysis

New data reveal World Bank DPF ‘climate finance’ carries strong private sector bias, undermining a just transition

New BWP briefing finds the World Bank counted 70 per cent of energy-sector reforms in Development Policy Financing as having 'climate co-benefits' between 2018-2023 - but most of these promoted a private-led energy transition.

9 June 2025 | Briefings
Low angle view of electricity pylon against sky. Credit: Uva Rova / pexels.com

Infrastructure

News

World Bank’s Mission 300: a path to power, for whom?

Bank's focus on attracting private investment through energy privatisation raises concerns, as it puts private profits over sustainable energy systems, burdening governments with debt and making electricity less affordable for citizens.

12 December 2024

Infrastructure

News

Indonesia JETP's promotion of renewable energy privatisation opposed by unions and civil society

Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Partnership bears the clear handprint of the World Bank’s private-sector led approach to power sectors in the Global South, creating opposition from unions and civil society.

9 April 2024

Environment

News

Trump election may add pressure to reverse World Bank’s prohibition on support for nuclear power

Donald Trump’s election may result in a revision of World Bank’s long-standing prohibition of support to nuclear power.

12 December 2024

Infrastructure

News

Banga calls energy access a ‘human right’ as he announces World Bank will provide access for 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030

Explicit mention of human rights obligations has long been a taboo subject at the World Bank.

3 July 2024

Infrastructure

News

MIGA’s support for gas projects raises concerns about its climate credentials

World Bank’s commercial insurance arm provided nearly $850 million in guarantees for gas projects in Bangladesh and Mozambique in fiscal year 2022.

5 April 2023

Infrastructure

Analysis

World Bank and IMF influence casts shadow over South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnership

World Bank’s support for fossil fuel projects, including problem-riddled Medupi coal power station, leaves its reputation in tatters with South African civil society.

8 December 2022