Sustainability of community-owned mini-grids: Evidence from India

摘要: Community-owned solar mini-grids (SMGs) are increasingly promoted to provide communities access reliable electricity, empowering local actors as they become active stakeholders in projects. However, early failures and difficulties building capacity have raised questions regarding their long-term sustainability ability be replicated socio-economic benefits the communities. This study assesses of 24 community-owned SMGs India operating over extensive periods time using a novel scoring framework mixed methods derive its conclusions. The found that institutional, financial, technical capacities, central for SMG’s sustainability, could achieved through community engagement from stages, if allowed freedom develop governance procedures while at same clarifying roles responsibilities. creates strong sense ownership is key effective inclusive governance. User satisfaction, ensured provision usable supply line with users’ expectations, motivates make regular payments, thus leading economic sustenance. While social environmental were observed, energy consumption productive activities remained marginal. reports an example SMG model has been sustainably many cases, overcoming challenges related appropriate financial management producing positive impact. Low was more factor socio-cultural contexts, rather than limited paying capacities users. To increase utilization create environments sustainable rural living, recommends implementation systems link other development needs such agriculture or water provision. also use qualitative quantitative data impact analysis ensure conclusions generalizable rich contextual explanations observed phenomena.