The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for the achievement of universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. To fulfil this ambition, least developed countries need to mobilise enormous investments in a short amount of time. Deciding the extent, priority and timing of these investments is a hard task, for which many governments currently lack internal resources. Development Partners are supporting these efforts by contributing to the national energy planning ecosystems.

In this comment, we focus on the role of Development Partners. We reflect on the approach to support strategic energy planning they took so far and on how they may improve it to further – and more effectively - support countries where demand arises. We take the example of one recent capacity development effort in Sierra Leone.