February 2011: The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) of the World Bank has published the ESMAP Portfolio Review for 2009-2011, reviewing activities implemented under the five themes (or portfolios) of: energy assessment and strategy; energy access; energy efficiency; renewable energy ; and low carbon growth.

The objective of this review is to provide a summary of the portfolio of 211 activities completed and delivered under each of the portfolios and to review the results and impacts of all completed ESMAP activities in terms of their effectiveness, influence and value-added in the World Bank Group’s dialogue and development strategy with client countries. The review indicates that a key role that ESMAP fulfills is to provide policy advice to client countries on strategically important sector issues. ESMAP’s assistance has helped client countries make better-informed policy decisions and translate those decisions into strategies and programs. ESMAP has also contributed to support client countries to build or enhance their capacity to implement policies, programs and strengthen institutions in the energy sector.

ESMAP is a global, multi-donor technical assistance trust fund administered by the World Bank and co-sponsored by 12 official bilateral donors. [Publication: ESMAP Portfolio Review: 2009-2011]