MINIGRIDS FRAMEWORK

Countries

Questions
  1. Workable Regulations
    1. Do the regulations clarify what will occur when the main grid reaches a mini grid's service area?
    2. Are there publicly available technical and safety standards detailing the requirements for mini grids?
    3. Are there publicly available quality of service standards for mini grids (e.g., minimum hours per day, minimum uptime, etc.)?
    4. Are there e-government or other initiatives that reduce bureaucracy that are applicable to mini grids (e.g., one-stop-shop permitting; online processes for tariff submission/review/approval; etc.)?
    5. Are there clear rules that prevent the regulatory authority from unilaterally changing the tariff without due cause and without warning?
    6. Are there clear rules for how tariffs can be adjusted over time?
    7. Are there clear registration, permitting or licensing procedures for mini grid operators?
    8. Are mini grids legally allowed to operate in the country?
    9. Are mini grid operators legally allowed to charge a cost-reflective tariff, even if it is different from the national tariff?
  2. Solar Hybrid Mini Grid Technology Strategy
    1. Is there a national or large-scale program to increase productive uses of electricity for mini grid customers?
    2. Is there a national or large-scale program to engage with communities who are about to receive mini grid electricity or who have just recently received mini grid electricity, to increase awareness, uptake, and demand for electricity services?
    3. If the country has a national electrification strategy and/or plan, does it encourage development of "portfolios" of mini grids (i.e., clusters of mini grids developed and operated by the same developer) instead of site-by-site?
    4. Do mini grid developers have access to geospatial data through an online platform, to help them plan their investments?
    5. Are there programs which aim to develop solar hybrid mini grid systems or support the development of solar hybrid mini grid systems?
    6. Are there programs to support hybridization of diesel mini grids?
    7. Are there industry associations relevant to mini grid developers?
  3. Financing Framework
    1. Can mini grids be owned and/or operated by private companies?
    2. Are there specific risk-mitigation facilities (e.g., foreign exchange risk, first-loss guarantees) available to support mini grid developers?
    3. Are there specific debt financing facilities available to support mini grid developers?
    4. Are there publicly funded mechanisms to secure results-based viability gap funding for operators?
    5. Are there opportunities to develop mini grids through both top-down and bottom-up approaches? (Under a bottom-up approach, mini grid developers select their sites; under a top-down approach, the government selects the sites)
    6. Are there large-scale programs to train key stakeholders of the mini grid sector, for example: local technicians; mini grid developers/operators; microentrepreneurs who use electric appliances; electricity regulators; rural electrification agencies
    7. Are there duty exemptions for mini grid systems and/or individual components?