The impact of rural electrification programs can often be multiplied through the promotion of productive use of on-grid and off-grid electricity beyond basic domestic use. Most countries place a high priority on electrification and recognize the many benefits it brings. These benefits include improved lighting; higher levels of education for children; increased productivity in business and agriculture; improved health through reduced use of kerosene lamps; increased access to entertainment and information through radio, television and computers; and increased social activity and safety through public lighting (IEG 2008). Today, electrification is often combined with investments in other areas, such as roads, water supply, education, training, technical assistance and access to credit. This case study focuses on how promoting productive uses can increase the financial viability of climate investments in small-scale power generation an
The sustainable and scalable business models for minigrids conference organized by the African school of regulation (ASR) begins on Monday 23rd January . The three-day conference has over 200 participants from over 25 countries registered. The ASR is excited to host this multitude of experts and organizations passionate about Minigrids and increasing access to sustainable and affordable electricity in Africa. While we gear up towards this conference, we can use the conference concept note as an anchor to discuss the scalability and viable financial business models for mini-grids in Africa. Sustainable and financially viable business models are the pre-requisite for deployment of a large number of mini-grids required to achieve the goals of universal electricity access in Africa. The concept note by Prof. Ignacio J. Pérez-Arriaga highlights two fundamental conditions that are indispensable to attract the massive amounts of private capital needed to deploy all the minigrids that