Rural Electrification Experience from South-East Asia and South America

This chapter provides a review of rural electrification with an emphasis on off-grid electrification in South-East Asia and South America. Both the regions have successfully enhanced electricity access and many countries of these regions have achieved near universal electrification. The experience from these regions and the contrasting approaches adopted by them are highlighted through a selected set of country case studies from both the regions. This chapter confirms that grid extension was the preferred mode of electrification in both the regions and a strong state support was essential in enhancing electricity access. However, different forms of organizational arrangements and varying degree of private and/or community participation were used in different countries.