Delivering Energy for Development: Models for Achieving Energy Access for the World's Poor

At the outset of 2012 – the United Nations’ International Year of Sustainable Energy for All – access to modern energy services remains low or non-existent for approximately 2.8 billion of the world’s population. Energy practitioners worldwide are facing the challenge of delivering access to modern energy services where poverty and lack of infrastructure makes it most difficult. Rising awareness about both climatic change and the notion of energy security for future generations are also being channelled into the debate. This book provides an overview of existing energy delivery systems, as well as a guide to practitioners on the key issues integral to the success or failure of energy programs in middle- and low-income countries. The authors consider how markets develop, which services are pivotal in supporting the process, and what overarching factors enable change to take place. The aim of the book is to provide practical guidance on how to replicate and scale up the successful delivery of energy to the very poor and is expected to be of use for energy development policy makers and practitioners.