Novel business models and policy directions based on SE4ALL global framework for minigrids

More than 620 million people live without access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa. With Sub-Saharan Africa uniquely positioned as the only continent with a rising population without electricity access, an estimated one billion people shall gain access by 2040, but because of the population growth, about 645 million people shall remain without it. However, even with considerable efforts in rural electrification, investment in the power sector is so far insufficient to reverse the trend and achieve universal access to electricity by 2030. Rural electrification is best served either by grid extension, mini-grids or standalone systems. The UN SE4ALL global tracking framework provides a tier system that acts as a measurement evaluation for electricity access and global comparison. The framework also assists with the classification for electrification solutions such as mini-grids based on the regular use of appliances and attributes of electricity supply. In light of having a standard framework, the successful planning, implementation, operation and maintenance of mini-grids is not a guarantee since each project is tailor-made. In this paper, a conventional rural electrification development scheme is presented that aims to eliminate business model and policy making complexities in mini-grids. The focus is on minimizing risks, upfront costs, and policy interventions while maximizing investor attraction, profitability, security for grid operators and reliable or inexpensive energy for the population.