Power for Development: A Review of Distributed Generation Projects in the Developing World

The paradigm for providing affordable electricity for the world's poor-power for development-has begun to change. Historically, centralized governments built large consolidated power plants and distribution and transmission lines with the ultimate goal of providing electricity to all of their c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of environment and resources 2012-11, Vol.37 (1), p.107-136
Main Authors: Brass, Jennifer N, Carley, Sanya, MacLean, Lauren M, Baldwin, Elizabeth
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Case studies
collaborative governance
developing countries
Economic data
Electric energy
Electric power generation
electrification
Energy
Energy economics
Energy policy
Exact sciences and technology
Financing
General, economic and professional studies
Historical account
Natural energy
Nongovernmental organizations
Power plants
renewable energy
Reviews
Technology
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Summary:The paradigm for providing affordable electricity for the world's poor-power for development-has begun to change. Historically, centralized governments built large consolidated power plants and distribution and transmission lines with the ultimate goal of providing electricity to all of their citizens. It has become increasingly common in recent decades, however, for donors, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), firms, and communities to collaborate with governments to develop small-scale localized energy systems known as distributed generation (DG) either as complements or alternatives to centralized operations. DG programs have been implemented around the world but with a mixed record of success. Based on an analysis of the existing case study literature, we examine DG program goals and outcomes, identifying major factors that affect these outcomes, including appropriately chosen technology, adequate financing and payment arrangements, ongoing end users' involvement, and supportive national policies. We highlight the importance of institutions for collaborative governance in the pursuit of these factors.
ISSN:1543-5938
1545-2050
DOI:10.1146/annurev-environ-051112-111930