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Library / Use cases / Enhancing Rural Power and Farming in Madagascar via EO Data

Enhancing Rural Power and Farming in Madagascar via EO Data

GDA Clean Energy together with the World Bank, are using Satellite data to help expand electricity access in rural Madagascar by identifying underserved areas and mapping agricultural land. This supports targeted renewable energy projects that boost farming productivity and drive local economic growth.

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Description

Satellite technology is helping to improve electricity access and agricultural productivity in rural Madagascar, where two-thirds of the population still lacks power. Through ESA’s GDA Clean Energy thematic activity, high-resolution data from Sentinel satellites is used to map settlements, cropland, and irrigation systems, enabling more accurate planning of renewable energy projects like solar mini-grids. In partnership with the World Bank, which has committed $400 million to the Digital and Energy Connectivity for Inclusion in Madagascar Project (DECIM) project, this data-driven approach ensures that both household and agricultural energy needs are considered. By integrating productive uses of energy into electrification plans, the initiative supports sustainable development and economic growth in underserved regions.

 

You can read more about this Case Study here: Driving Electrification and Boosting Agricultural Productivity in Madagascar with EO Data

Key Takeaways

    • Satellite data enables smarter electrification planning by mapping underserved communities and agricultural areas, reducing the need for costly ground surveys in rural regions like Madagascar.

    • ESA’s GDA Clean Energy AID and the World Bank are partnering to integrate productive energy uses—especially for agriculture—into energy access planning, addressing a major gap in traditional electrification models.

    • High-resolution EO data supports sustainable development by helping target renewable energy investments that not only power homes but also boost agricultural productivity and local economies.