The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), backed by Jeff Bezos and leading foundations, plans to invest approximately $7.5 billion in renewable energy projects in developing countries over the next five years. The alliance seeks more philanthropic partners as official government aid declines.

The Role of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet in Advancing Green Energy

Founded at the 2021 global climate talks, GEAPP has worked with over 30 countries to improve electricity grids, deploy battery storage, and create green jobs. Its founding partners include the IKEA Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the Bezos Earth Fund, along with governments such as Britain and Denmark, the World Bank, and private companies like GE Vernova.

GEAPP aims to integrate green energy into sectors like agriculture and health through plans including an "Energy and Opportunity Coalition." Chief Executive Woochong Um said, "With aid budgets under pressure, we need new models to deliver development at scale."

The alliance focuses on "Grids of the Future" that are renewables-ready, digitally intelligent, and financially sustainable. For example, in Jaipur, India, GEAPP has created a live digital map of 6.5 million utility assets, allowing utilities to spot problems before outages and saving more than $50 million annually. This approach is planned to expand to utilities across India, Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

Financial Challenges and New Models Amid Declining Official Aid

Official development aid fell 7.1% in real terms in 2024, mainly due to a decline in U.S. funding, according to OECD data. This decrease places pressure on groups like GEAPP to broaden their financing sources.

The International Energy Agency states that clean energy investment in developing countries outside China needs to rise six-fold to $1.6 trillion by the early 2030s to meet climate goals.

GEAPP reduces investment risk by securing free or low-cost capital from charitable or government sources to attract development banks and private lenders. The alliance aims to raise at least $500 million in philanthropic capital for 2026–2030 and leverage it about fifteen times to unlock $7.5 billion.

Strategic Goals and Future Plans for 2026–2030

In its first five years, GEAPP mobilized $7.8 billion in financing, improving energy access for nearly 240 million people and reducing carbon emissions by 952 million metric tons. The next phase seeks to continue expanding renewable energy infrastructure and job creation in developing countries.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES/JIM WATSON

This article was created with AI assistance.