The power sector is integral to economic development and inclusive growth in the Caribbean region. The high cost of electricity is undermining the regions competitiveness and growth; and creating hardship for citizens.
... See More + The high cost of electricity is largely a result of the region's heavy reliance on expensive, imported fuel oil and diesel for power generation. It will be important to diversify the generation mix of power systems in the Caribbean and enhance energy efficiency in order to lower costs and increase reliability as a means towards improving business competitiveness and promoting shared economic growth. Preliminary assessments indicate significant unexploited geothermal potential, especially in the Eastern Caribbean that can supply base-load power for local markets and beyond. Geothermal resource risks are a major barrier during the early phases of development as it creates uncertainty surrounding the viability of the investment. Attracting credible and experienced developers is essential for developing the resources in line with proven industry practices, and in compliance with international standards. Following successful geothermal resource confirmation, there will be continued need to mobilize greater levels of financing to complete the remaining development. Special consideration is needed for integrating geothermal power into relatively small and isolated island systems in the Eastern Caribbean. Inter-island transmission interconnections provide an opportunity to exploit the Eastern Caribbean's full geothermal potential; and promote regional integration. Geothermal developments largely beneficial for the environment and local communities and following industry practices and international standards will adequately address its potential impacts. It will be important for each jurisdiction to mandate its own environmental and social standards based on international best practices; and monitor to ensure compliance with those standards by project developers.
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The program provided a vast, dispersed community of over half a million nomadic herders with access to modern forms of electricity through portable Solar Home Systems (SHS).
... See More + Mongolia is a geographically vast country covering over 600,000 square miles but has a relatively small population of less than three million people. This nomadic lifestyle is a legacy of thousands of years of traditional culture and is dependent upon a harmonious co-existence with nature. The program provided photovoltaic SHS that were portable in design making the systems adaptable to the nomadic lifestyle of herders and complementing their traditional way of life. Specifically, the Rural Electricity Access Project (REAP) included a cost sharing mechanism with the herders that expanded the program for maximum impact. Under this arrangement, the herders had to purchase the SHSs, but given their limited income, the project provided a subsidy to cover roughly half of the cost of the systems, making them more affordable.
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Working Paper 72683 DEC 01, 2012
Jayawardena, Migara S.; Rivera, A. Salvador; Ratnayake, Chrisantha
Indonesia's commitment to reform is continuing to accelerate economic growth, yet a staggering one third of its people live without access to electricity.
... See More + It is difficult to imagine sustaining the current six percent economic growth rate if such large numbers of people are left behind and cannot enjoy the fruits of this prosperity. The report was developed to initiate a dialogue to further the discussion on increasing electricity access in Indonesia. It identifies the critical barriers that currently prevent electrification expansion at levels necessary to meet the government's objective and articulates why business as usual will not suffice. Thereafter, the report proposes a number of policy improvements that would enhance the current enabling framework for electrification. At the heart of this report are several proposals for enhanced electrification models that can be implemented even under the present policy framework, although chances of success would be far greater should the recommended reforms occur. These electrification models bring to bear the best international experiences, yet are customized for application in the Indonesian context. Each option illustrates in detail the financing options, cost recovery aspects, and the institutional mechanisms that are necessary for implementation. They are also designed to take advantage of the recent decentralized governance structure in Indonesia, where sub-national governments are increasingly taking greater responsibility for providing services, including electricity, for their people.
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Indonesia's commitment to reform is continuing to accelerate economic growth, yet a staggering one third of its people live without access to electricity.
... See More + It is difficult to imagine sustaining the current six percent economic growth rate if such large numbers of people are left behind and cannot enjoy the fruits of this prosperity. The report was developed to initiate a dialogue to further the discussion on increasing electricity access in Indonesia. It identifies the critical barriers that currently prevent electrification expansion at levels necessary to meet the government's objective and articulates why business as usual will not suffice. Thereafter, the report proposes a number of policy improvements that would enhance the current enabling framework for electrification. At the heart of this report are several proposals for enhanced electrification models that can be implemented even under the present policy framework, although chances of success would be far greater should the recommended reforms occur. These electrification models bring to bear the best international experiences, yet are customized for application in the Indonesian context. Each option illustrates in detail the financing options, cost recovery aspects, and the institutional mechanisms that are necessary for implementation. They are also designed to take advantage of the recent decentralized governance structure in Indonesia, where sub-national governments are increasingly taking greater responsibility for providing services, including electricity, for their people.
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Indonesia's commitment to reform is continuing to accelerate economic growth, yet a staggering one third of its people live without access to electricity.
... See More + It is difficult to imagine sustaining the current 6 percent economic growth rate if such large numbers of people are left behind and cannot enjoy the fruits of this prosperity. The Indonesian Government has recognized this problem and aims to provide electricity access to 90 percent of the population by 2020, a worthy goal which the World Bank strongly supports. At the request of the Government, this report, electricity for all: options for increasing access in Indonesia, was developed to provide some practical solutions by which Indonesia could reach their highly ambitious, yet achievable goal. The following report was developed to initiate a dialogue to further the discussion on increasing electricity access in Indonesia. It identifies the critical barriers that currently prevent electrification expansion at levels necessary to meet the Government's objective and articulates why business as usual will not suffice. Thereafter, the report proposes a number of policy improvements that will enhance the current enabling framework for electrification. At the heart of this report are several proposals for enhanced electrification models that can be implemented even under the present policy framework, although chances of success will be far greater should the recommended reforms occur. These electrification models bring to bear the best international experiences, yet are customized for application in the Indonesian context. Each option illustrates in detail the financing options, cost recovery aspects, and the institutional mechanisms that are necessary for implementation. They are also designed to take advantage of the recent decentralized governance structure in Indonesia, where sub-national governments are increasingly taking greater responsibility for providing services, including electricity, for their people.
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