Beyond the Grid: Engineering, Institutions and Finance. (21st October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harris, Laurence
• Is Part Of: Journal of African economies. Volume 28:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: i41
• Page End: i50
• Publication Date: 2019-10-21
• Subjects: Africa -- electrification -- energy mix -- decentralised systems -- mini-grids -- finance -- financing systems framework; Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1960- -- Periodicals; Africa -- Economic policy -- Periodicals; 330.96
• DOI: 10.1093/jae/ejz024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8024

Abstract

Abstract: In sub-Saharan Africa existing, reliable supplies of electricity are inadequate to meet actual demand from those connected to the grid and potential effective demand from those without grid access. If strategies for generation, transmission and distribution systems, were unchanged the potential growth of demand accompanying economic growth and desired increases in living standards would be constrained by worsening shortages. This paper outlines the major tasks electrification strategies in Africa face and focuses on aspects of financing them. It proposes that a holistic analytical perspective, the Financial Systems Framework, is valuable for identifying and addressing distinct but linked problems in financing African electrification strategies.