Rural Energy and Economic Transition Innovation Zones

Powering Rural Economies Through Inclusive Energy Transition

The Rural Energy and Economic Transition Innovation Zones (REETIZ) is a place-based platform of the Sustainable Energy Lab that accelerates inclusive, climate-resilient, and regenerative rural development through renewable energy, local enterprise development, and innovation ecosystems.

REETIZ transforms municipalities into living laboratories where clean energy systems support agriculture, livelihoods, small industries, digital connectivity, climate resilience, and community prosperity.

The initiative demonstrates how rural communities can become energy-secure, economically vibrant, and low-carbon through a just and locally grounded transition.

Why REETIZ

Many rural communities continue to face unreliable electricity, high energy costs, weak infrastructure, limited economic opportunities, and increasing climate vulnerability. At the same time, these areas possess abundant renewable energy potential that can power local industries, irrigation systems, agro-processing, digital services, and resilient local economies.

REETIZ helps municipalities harness this opportunity by linking renewable energy systems directly to economic transformation and local wealth creation.

What REETIZ Supports

REETIZ helps local governments and partners develop and pilot:

• Solar microgrids and community energy systems

• Solar-powered irrigation and agri-voltaic systems

• Productive-use energy for agriculture, fisheries, MSMEs, and cooperatives

• Renewable-powered cold storage, processing, and rural logistics systems

• Community-owned and co-owned renewable energy enterprises

• Clean energy systems for schools, health facilities, and public infrastructure

• Rural digital connectivity and innovation hubs powered by renewable energy

• Climate-resilient local energy and economic transition roadmaps

A Living Laboratory for Rural Transformation

REETIZ brings together municipalities, universities, renewable energy developers, investors, cooperatives, indigenous and community organizations, and civil society partners to co-design practical solutions for rural transition.

Each REETIZ municipality becomes a collaborative innovation zone where stakeholders can pilot new approaches in:

• Energy governance

• Community co-ownership

• Climate finance and blended finance

• Productive-use energy systems

• Rural enterprise incubation

• Sustainable local economic development

• AI-enabled rural planning and monitoring

The lessons and models generated through REETIZ are designed to be scalable and replicable across rural regions.

Innovation Workstreams

1. Rural Energy Transition Planning

Support municipalities in mapping energy gaps, renewable resources, productive-use opportunities, climate risks, and priority infrastructure investments.

2. Community Energy Partnerships

Develop co-ownership, benefit-sharing, and cooperative models that enable communities to participate meaningfully in renewable energy projects.

3. Productive-Use Energy and Rural Enterprise

Connect renewable energy systems to agriculture, fisheries, irrigation, agro-processing, tourism, MSMEs, transport, and digital enterprise development.

4. Climate, ESG, and Blended Finance

Prepare local projects for green bonds, climate finance, ESG investment, blended finance facilities, and public-private-community partnerships.

5. University and Innovation Ecosystems

Engage universities, researchers, students, startups, and technology providers in feasibility studies, innovation pilots, training, and implementation support.

6. Rural Industrial and Innovation Clusters

Support the development of renewable energy-enabled rural industries, local manufacturing, innovation hubs, and circular economy systems.

7. AI and Digital Transition for Rural Communities

Leverage AI, digital tools, and data systems for planning, monitoring, forecasting, learning, and local governance innovation.

Expected Outcomes

REETIZ partner municipalities can:

• Improve local energy security and reliability

• Expand access to clean and affordable power

• Reduce dependence on diesel and expensive grid extensions

• Strengthen climate resilience of communities and public services

• Unlock investments in rural infrastructure and enterprise

• Increase agricultural productivity and value creation

• Support local employment and entrepreneurship

• Build community participation in energy ownership and economic value chains

• Accelerate transition toward resilient and low-carbon local economies

Who Can Partner

REETIZ is designed for collaboration among:

• Municipal and provincial governments

• Renewable energy developers and utilities

• Rural electric cooperatives

• Universities and technical institutions

• Community organizations and cooperatives

• Indigenous peoples organizations

• Climate and ESG investors

• Development finance institutions and foundations

• National government agencies supporting energy, agriculture, climate adaptation, and local economic development

Our Vision

REETIZ envisions rural municipalities as resilient, energy-secure, and economically thriving communities where renewable energy powers livelihoods, innovation, enterprise development, food systems, and human flourishing.

Through the Sustainable Energy Lab, REETIZ seeks to demonstrate that the rural transition can be locally owned, climate-resilient, financially viable, and deeply connected to inclusive economic transformation.