Sustainability of Rural Electrification Projects in Developing Countries: A Systematic Literature Review

Carlos Cuenca-Enrique, Laura del-Río-Carazo, Emiliano Acquila-Natale and Santiago Iglesias-Pradas ()
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Carlos Cuenca-Enrique: Departamento de Ingeniería de Organización, Administración de Empresas y Estadística, ETSI de Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Av. Complutense 30, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Laura del-Río-Carazo: Departamento de Ingeniería de Organización, Administración de Empresas y Estadística, ETSI de Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Av. Complutense 30, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Emiliano Acquila-Natale: Departamento de Ingeniería de Organización, Administración de Empresas y Estadística, ETSI de Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Av. Complutense 30, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Santiago Iglesias-Pradas: Departamento de Ingeniería de Organización, Administración de Empresas y Estadística, ETSI de Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Av. Complutense 30, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-17

Abstract: This study provides a review of the sustainability of rural electrification projects in developing countries to identify drivers of the long-term success of these initiatives. Unlike previous studies that often separate sustainability into social, economic, and environmental dimensions, this research adopts a comprehensive approach, acknowledging the interconnectedness of these aspects. Twenty-one sustainability drivers were identified. Based on these, a framework was proposed to organize them across project phases and key activities, supporting sustainable project planning and execution. This framework enables stakeholders to integrate sustainability considerations into the design and management of rural electrification projects, facilitating strategic action across diverse areas. The findings underscore well-known sustainability drivers such as renewable energy adoption while highlighting less-researched aspects, including project monitoring and waste management. Further studies should explore these under-researched areas and examine the potential of digitalization to enhance project sustainability, particularly as rural connectivity improves in developing countries. This approach can provide insights into optimizing rural electrification projects for long-term success and resilience.

Keywords: sustainability; rural electrification; developing countries; energy access (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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