NAIROBI, Kenya, June 22 – The United Kingdom has extended the Ayrton Fund to 2030 and committed an additional £88 million to its flagship Transforming Energy Access (TEA) programme as part of efforts to accelerate clean energy access and climate action in developing countries.
The announcement was made during the Ayrton Forum at the start of London Climate Action Week, alongside the publication of the UK’s fourth International Climate Finance strategy.
The UK government said the expanded programme will strengthen international partnerships, mobilise investment and support innovation aimed at delivering affordable and sustainable energy while creating economic opportunities.
Since its launch in 2021, the Ayrton Fund has supported clean energy initiatives in more than 100 countries across Africa, Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the UK government, projects backed by the fund have improved access to clean energy for 46 million people, mobilised £3 billion in public and private investment, reduced carbon emissions by 14 million tonnes and supported more than 256,000 green jobs globally.
The programme has also benefited the UK economy, supporting more than 300 UK-based organisations involved in clean energy research and innovation and helping create over 1,000 jobs.
Speaking at the forum, John Edmunds said innovation and investment must work together to deliver sustainable development and expand access to clean energy technologies.
He described energy as a critical issue linking economic development, climate action, security and equality, adding that international partnerships are essential in scaling up solutions.
The Ayrton Fund brings together clean energy research, development and demonstration programmes across the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Science Innovation and Technology.
The initiative supports the development and deployment of technologies including solar-powered irrigation systems, zero-emission generators, sustainable cold-chain solutions, green fertiliser technologies, smart grids and energy storage systems.
Organisers said this year’s forum has attracted more than 300 participants from government, business, finance, academia and civil society to discuss how innovation can move from pilot projects to large-scale deployment.
Discussions are focusing on expanding electricity access, green industrialisation, inclusive economic growth, grid modernisation, sustainable supply chains and ensuring vulnerable communities benefit from the clean energy transition.
The programme aligns with global efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on affordable clean energy and climate action while supporting broader efforts to strengthen energy security and resilience in developing economies.
