In this policy brief, Muez Ali and Rasha Akel examine how Lebanon and Sudan have undergone unplanned, crisis-driven energy transitions. With the collapse of centralized electricity systems in both countries, solar energy has emerged as a widespread alternative, driven largely by necessity and grassroots adaptation. The brief explores how local actors—from households to small businesses—have filled governance and service gaps, forming decentralized energy networks outside state frameworks. It highlights the potential and limits of this transition, warning that without inclusive regulation, strategic planning, and equitable access, these transitions risk deepening social inequalities rather than resolving systemic issues.