
Low-cost Electrification
Affordable electricity installation for low-income households in developing countries
Published: 1998
Pages: 48
eBook: 9781780442686
Paperback: 9781853394546
Foreword | |||
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Acknowledgements | |||
1 Executive summary | |||
2 Background | |||
2.1 Uptake of electricity connections by low income households | |||
2.2 Reasons for providing electricity to low income households | |||
2.3 Electricity usage by low income households | |||
3 Financial viability | |||
3.1 Expenditure on electricity by low income households | |||
3.2 The cost to the utility of providing electricity to | |||
domestic consumers | |||
3.3 Reducing the cost to the utility of providing electricity | |||
to low income households | |||
4 Constraints faced by utilities | |||
4.1 High capital costs | |||
4.2 High revenue collection costs | |||
4.3 Low income from existing operation | |||
4.4 Insufficient generating capacity for additional consumers | |||
4.5 High connection costs to scattered homesteads | |||
4.6 Theft | |||
5 Problems faced by consumers | |||
5.1 High charge for initial connection | |||
5.2 High cost of house-wiring | |||
5.3 Uncertainty over electricity charges | |||
5.4 Safety standards | |||
5.5 Distance to payment centre | |||
5.6 Poor quality/reliability of supply | |||
6 Solutions | |||
6.1 Load limited supply | |||
6.1.1 General description | |||
6.1.2 Basic operation | |||
6.1.3 Load factor | |||
6.1.4 Cost | |||
6.1.5 Accuracy | |||
6.1.6 Advantages | |||
6.1.7 Disadvantages | |||
6.1.8 The way forward | |||
6.2 Reduced service connection costs | |||
6.3 Pre-fabricated wiring systems | |||
6.31 Wiring harnesses | |||
6.32 Ready boards | |||
6.3-3 Conclusions | |||
6.4 Credit | |||
6.5 Community involvement | |||
6.51 Local community involvement | |||
6.5.2 Cooperatives | |||
6.6 Prepayment meters | |||
6.7 Tariff reforms | |||
6.8 Revised safety standards | |||
7 Acceptability of solutions 28 | |||
8 Guidelines for utilities 30 | |||
9 Cost savings 31 | |||
9.1 Load limited supply 31 | |||
9.2 Pre-fabricated wiring systems 31 | |||
9.3 Community involvement 31 | |||
10 Further work 32 | |||
10.1 Improved channels of communication 32 | |||
10.2 Technical developments 32 | |||
10.3 Demonstration projects 32 | |||
Appendix 1: Terms of reference 34 | |||
Appendix 2: Organisations visited 34 | |||
Appendix 3: Individuals consulted 36 | |||
References 37 |
Nigel Smith
Dr Nigel Smith is an independent engineering consultant with experience in low-cost electrification in developing countries.