IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/enepol/v167y2022ics0301421522003056.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Last-mile rural electrification: Lessons learned from universalization programs in Brazil and Venezuela

Author

Listed:
  • Leduchowicz-Municio, A.
  • López-Gozález, A.
  • Domenech, B.
  • Ferrer-Martí, L.
  • Udaeta, M.E.M.
  • Gimenes, A.L.V.

Abstract

Many countries are still facing a common hurdle: last-mile rural electrification. Great skill is required to face this challenge, which generally involves the most isolated, inaccessible and complex regions. Many Latin American countries have already undertaken universal access to energy schemes and have built an experience base that, if shared, can add a wealth of knowledge to facilitate the implementation of future initiatives. In this regard, this work evaluates the sustainability of the main electrification initiatives developed in Brazil and Venezuela, by performing an ex-post comparative multicriteria evaluation on 18 quantitative and qualitative social, institutional, economic, technical and managerial indicators. Eight discussion threads are drawn from the programs’ design and implementation strategies and outcomes. The main insights are: the suitability of renewable-based distributed energy resources for covering last-mile rural electrification; the effectiveness of a private context for the development of the technological market and the creation of policy instruments; and the effectiveness of a public context to implement a greater diversity of technological solutions focused on improving social well-being. The lessons learned aim to guide rural electrification promoters and decision makers in developing more sustainable and successful last-mile electrification initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Leduchowicz-Municio, A. & López-Gozález, A. & Domenech, B. & Ferrer-Martí, L. & Udaeta, M.E.M. & Gimenes, A.L.V., 2022. "Last-mile rural electrification: Lessons learned from universalization programs in Brazil and Venezuela," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:167:y:2022:i:c:s0301421522003056
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113080
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421522003056
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113080?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fujii, Tomoki & Shonchoy, Abu S., 2020. "Fertility and rural electrification in Bangladesh," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    2. Kumar, Manashvi, 2020. "Non-universal nature of energy poverty: Energy services, assessment of needs and consumption evidences from rural Himachal Pradesh," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    3. Kruyt, Bert & van Vuuren, D.P. & de Vries, H.J.M. & Groenenberg, H., 2009. "Indicators for energy security," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 2166-2181, June.
    4. López-González, A. & Domenech, B. & Ferrer-Martí, L., 2018. "Lifetime, cost and fuel efficiency in diesel projects for rural electrification in Venezuela," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 152-161.
    5. Zaman, Rafia & Brudermann, Thomas, 2018. "Energy governance in the context of energy service security: A qualitative assessment of the electricity system in Bangladesh," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C), pages 443-456.
    6. López-González, A. & Domenech, B. & Ferrer-Martí, L., 2018. "Formative evaluation of sustainability in rural electrification programs from a management perspective: A case study from Venezuela," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 95-109.
    7. Ranaboldo, Matteo & García-Villoria, Alberto & Ferrer-Martí, Laia & Pastor Moreno, Rafael, 2015. "A meta-heuristic method to design off-grid community electrification projects with renewable energies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P2), pages 2467-2482.
    8. Santosh Kumar & Ganesh Rauniyar, 2018. "The impact of rural electrification on income and education: Evidence from Bhutan," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(3), pages 1146-1165, August.
    9. López-González, A. & Ferrer-Martí, L. & Domenech, B., 2019. "Sustainable rural electrification planning in developing countries: A proposal for electrification of isolated communities of Venezuela," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 327-338.
    10. López-González, A. & Domenech, B. & Ferrer-Martí, L., 2018. "Sustainability and design assessment of rural hybrid microgrids in Venezuela," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 229-242.
    11. López-González, A. & Domenech, B. & Gómez-Hernández, D. & Ferrer-Martí, L., 2017. "Renewable microgrid projects for autonomous small-scale electrification in Andean countries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1255-1265.
    12. Juanpera, M. & Blechinger, P. & Ferrer-Martí, L. & Hoffmann, M.M. & Pastor, R., 2020. "Multicriteria-based methodology for the design of rural electrification systems. A case study in Nigeria," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    13. Wang, Jiang-Jiang & Jing, You-Yin & Zhang, Chun-Fa & Zhao, Jun-Hong, 2009. "Review on multi-criteria decision analysis aid in sustainable energy decision-making," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(9), pages 2263-2278, December.
    14. Domenech, B. & Ferrer-Martí, L. & Pastor, R., 2015. "Hierarchical methodology to optimize the design of stand-alone electrification systems for rural communities considering technical and social criteria," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 182-196.
    15. López-González, A. & Ferrer-Martí, L. & Domenech, B., 2019. "Long-term sustainability assessment of micro-hydro projects: Case studies from Venezuela," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 120-130.
    16. Valer, L. Roberto & Manito, Alex. R.A. & Ribeiro, Tina B. Selles & Zilles, Roberto & Pinho, João T., 2017. "Issues in PV systems applied to rural electrification in Brazil," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1033-1043.
    17. Stritzke, Susann & Trotter, Philipp A. & Twesigye, Peter, 2021. "Towards responsive energy governance: Lessons from a holistic analysis of energy access in Uganda and Zambia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 148(PA).
    18. Heksi Lestari & Maarten Arentsen & Hans Bressers & Budhi Gunawan & Johan Iskandar & Parikesit, 2018. "Sustainability of Renewable Off-Grid Technology for Rural Electrification: A Comparative Study Using the IAD Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-17, November.
    19. Gafa, Dede W. & Egbendewe, Aklesso Y.G., 2021. "Energy poverty in rural West Africa and its determinants: Evidence from Senegal and Togo," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    20. Tanja Winther, 2015. "Impact evaluation of rural electrification programmes: what parts of the story may be missed?," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(2), pages 160-174, June.
    21. Trotter, Philipp A. & McManus, Marcelle C. & Maconachie, Roy, 2017. "Electricity planning and implementation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1189-1209.
    22. Gómez-Hernández, D.F. & Domenech, B. & Moreira, J. & Farrera, N. & López-González, A. & Ferrer-Martí, L., 2019. "Comparative evaluation of rural electrification project plans: A case study in Mexico," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 23-33.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Juanpera, M. & Domenech, B. & Ferrer-Martí, L. & Garzón, A. & Pastor, R., 2021. "Renewable-based electrification for remote locations. Does short-term success endure over time? A case study in Peru," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    2. Juanpera, M. & Ferrer-Martí, L. & Pastor, R., 2022. "Multi-stage optimization of rural electrification planning at regional level considering multiple criteria. Case study in Nigeria," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    3. Juanpera, M. & Blechinger, P. & Ferrer-Martí, L. & Hoffmann, M.M. & Pastor, R., 2020. "Multicriteria-based methodology for the design of rural electrification systems. A case study in Nigeria," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    4. López-González, A. & Ranaboldo, M. & Domenech, B. & Ferrer-Martí, L., 2020. "Evaluation of small wind turbines for rural electrification: Case studies from extreme climatic conditions in Venezuela," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    5. Gómez-Hernández, D.F. & Domenech, B. & Moreira, J. & Farrera, N. & López-González, A. & Ferrer-Martí, L., 2019. "Comparative evaluation of rural electrification project plans: A case study in Mexico," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 23-33.
    6. Richard S. J. Tol, 2023. "Navigating the energy trilemma during geopolitical and environmental crises," Papers 2301.07671, arXiv.org.
    7. Alejandro López-González & Bruno Domenech & Laia Ferrer-Martí, 2021. "Sustainability Evaluation of Rural Electrification in Cuba: From Fossil Fuels to Modular Photovoltaic Systems: Case Studies from Sancti Spiritus Province," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, April.
    8. García-Villoria, Alberto & Domenech, Bruno & Ferrer-Martí, Laia & Juanpera, Marc & Pastor, Rafael, 2020. "Ad-hoc heuristic for design of wind-photovoltaic electrification systems, including management constraints," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    9. Lorafe Lozano & Evelyn B. Taboada, 2021. "The Power of Electricity: How Effective Is It in Promoting Sustainable Development in Rural Off-Grid Islands in the Philippines?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, May.
    10. López-González, A. & Ferrer-Martí, L. & Domenech, B., 2019. "Long-term sustainability assessment of micro-hydro projects: Case studies from Venezuela," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 120-130.
    11. Obsa Urgessa Ayana & Jima Degaga, 2022. "Effects of rural electrification on household welfare: a meta-regression analysis," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 69(2), pages 209-261, June.
    12. Hong, Sanghyun & Kim, Eunsung & Jeong, Saerok, 2023. "Evaluating the sustainability of the hydrogen economy using multi-criteria decision-making analysis in Korea," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 485-492.
    13. Abdulrasheed Zakari & Jurij Toplak & Luka Martin Tomažič, 2022. "Exploring the Relationship between Energy and Food Security in Africa with Instrumental Variables Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-14, July.
    14. Thushara, De Silva M. & Hornberger, George M. & Baroud, Hiba, 2019. "Decision analysis to support the choice of a future power generation pathway for Sri Lanka," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 680-697.
    15. Trotter, Philipp A. & Maconachie, Roy & McManus, Marcelle C., 2018. "Solar energy's potential to mitigate political risks: The case of an optimised Africa-wide network," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 108-126.
    16. Lan, Jing & Khan, Sufyan Ullah & Sadiq, Muhammad & Chien, Fengsheng & Baloch, Zulfiqar Ali, 2022. "Evaluating energy poverty and its effects using multi-dimensional based DEA-like mathematical composite indicator approach: Findings from Asia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    17. Dahiana López García & José David Beltrán Gallego & Sandra Ximena Carvajal Quintero, 2023. "Proposing Dynamic Pricing as an Alternative to Improve Technical and Economic Conditions in Rural Electrification: A Case Study from Colombia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-24, May.
    18. Ferrer-Martí, Laia & Ferrer, Ivet & Sánchez, Elena & Garfí, Marianna, 2018. "A multi-criteria decision support tool for the assessment of household biogas digester programmes in rural areas. A case study in Peru," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 74-83.
    19. Maxim, Alexandru, 2014. "Sustainability assessment of electricity generation technologies using weighted multi-criteria decision analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 284-297.
    20. Relva, Stefania Gomes & Silva, Vinícius Oliveira da & Gimenes, André Luiz Veiga & Udaeta, Miguel Edgar Morales & Ashworth, Peta & Peyerl, Drielli, 2021. "Enhancing developing countries’ transition to a low-carbon electricity sector," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:167:y:2022:i:c:s0301421522003056. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/enpol .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.