Title :
Rural Off-Grid Electricity Service in Sub-Saharan Africa [Technology Leaders]
Author :
Louie, Henry ; O´Grady, Elizabeth ; Van Acker, Vincent ; Szablya, Steve ; Kumar, Nirupama Prakash ; Podmore, Robin
Abstract :
Access to electricity is a persistent, endemic challenge impeding development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Decades of postcolonial underinvestment have resulted in just 80 GW of installed generation capacity? less than that of the United Kingdom? in a region with over 860 million people. Of the 20 countries with the lowest electrification rates in the world, 19 are found in Sub-Saharan Africa, where, on average, fewer than one in three people have access to electricity. In rural areas, electrification rates plummet to less than 15%.
Keywords :
distributed power generation; electrical installation; investment; Sub-Saharan Africa; United Kingdom; electricity access; electrification rates; installed generation capacity; postcolonial underinvestment; power 80 GW; rural off-grid electricity service; Africa; Batteries; Electricity supply industry; Home appliances; Lighting; Microgrids; Mobile handsets; Power markets; Rural areas;
Journal_Title :
Electrification Magazine, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/MELE.2014.2380111