What do we know about cooperative sustainable electrification in the global South? A synthesis of the literature and refined social-ecological systems framework

It is widely acknowledged that access to modern energy services is linked to socio-economic development. There is growing evidence that it is a necessary though not sufficient condition for development. 95% of the population without access to modern forms of energy live in developing Asian and African countries. For these regions in particular, it is important to find suitable financial and organizational structures. Although the situation is better in Latin America, people in rural areas in some countries still face significant challenges. It is not clear what the right institutional structures to combat energy poverty and to improve energy development are. Even if there is no “one-size-fits-all solution” to the institutional question with respect to rural electrification, a better understanding of this issue is necessary to decide how and where contemporary models of ownership and governance could be used.