Recent World Bank ESMAP Mini Grids publications
Chris Greacen
Dear Island Energy Matters,
We are pleased to announce the publication of Mini Grids for Half a Billion People: Market Outlook and Handbook for Decision Makers.
This handbook is available (free download) at:
https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/31926
Approximately 1.2 billion people will need to gain access to electricity to achieve universal access by 2030. The only way to achieve this is through a combination of the main grid extension, mini grids, and off-grid solar. This report shows that about half a billion people can be cost-effectively provided with electricity through mini grids. The combination of falling costs, dramatic increase in the quality of service, and favorable enabling environments have made modern mini grids a scalable option to complement grid extension and solar home systems. The report takes stock of the global mini grid market and industry; analyzes in detail the solar-hybrid mini grid costs and technological innovations; shows the importance of introducing income-generating machinery and micro-finance early in the planning process; and provides policy makers, investors and developers with insights on how mini grids can be scaled up.
The handbook will be complemented by a Comprehensive Mini Grid Guidebook (current working title) covering technical, financial, regulatory and costing issues. It will be available for free download from the World Bank’s ESMAP website (https://www.esmap.org) in September.
We would also like to draw your attention to another recent World Bank publication:
Mini Grids and the Arrival of the Main Grid: Lessons from Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia by the World Bank.
The report is available (also free download) at:
https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/29018
The report addresses a key concern raised by developers of mini grids: “what will become of my mini grid when the main grid arrives?” The report presents detailed case studies of what happened to isolated mini grids in Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia when the main grid reached their villages. Six possible outcomes are described: 1) conversion to a small power producer (SPP); 2) conversion to a small power distributor (SPD); 3) conversion to a combined SPP and SPD; 4) side-by-side operation of the mini grid and main grid without any physical connection between the two systems; 5) compensation and exit; and 6) abandonment. Each case study describes the regulatory, commercial and technical characteristics that affected the observed outcomes.
Finally, we would like to call attention to the World Bank's 2014 reference book: From the Bottom Up: How Small Power Producers and Mini-Grids Can Deliver Electrification and Renewable Energy in Africa.
https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/16571.
This book focuses on the regulatory frameworks needed for sustainable private investment in mini grids and grid-connected small power producers. The English and French editions have been downloaded by 28,000 readers in more than 100 countries.
We think that all three publications will be of interest to renewable energy developers, engineers, regulators, academics, utility managers and policymakers.
Best wishes,
Bernard Tenenbaum
Chris Greacen