There are two initial challenges in
defining and measuring energy access: the absence of a
universal definition of energy access and the difficulty of
measuring any definition in an accurate manner. The
multi-tier approach to measuring energy access proposed in
the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) Global Tracking
Framework of 2013 introduces a five-tier measurement
methodology based on various energy attributes, such as
quantity, quality, affordability, and duration of supply.
The approach makes it possible to compute a weighted index
of access to energy for a given geographical area. Separate
notes focus on multi-tier measurement of energy access for
households, productive enterprises, and community
institutions. The type of data required for a multi-tiered
assessment of energy access in a given area can be obtained
through surveys of actual energy availability and use among
a scientific sample of all users in a given category
(households, enterprises, community institutions). Survey
questionnaires elicit information about each energy
attribute, and the results are fed into the multi-tier
matrices. Data may also be collected from energy suppliers
to indicate the tiers of access that specific projects may
deliver to a targeted population. Capturing the
multi-dimensionality of energy access is important, because
rapid expansion of access to energy requires both accurate
assessment and tracking of progress. Under the new
multi-tier framework, data from energy surveys are compiled
and analyzed to produce an energy access diagnostic for a
given area. The diagnostic includes an in-depth
disaggregated data analysis and an aggregate analysis
comprising a series of indices of energy access. Defining
and measuring energy access by considering attributes of
energy supply yields a better understanding of how various
interventions improve access.