Cost-effectiveness of rural energy access strategies

Quantitative benchmarks for cost-effective provision of rural energy access are difficult to obtain because deployment costs vary across technologies, contexts, and technical assistance approaches – but crucially also across sustainability assumptions. As an alternative, this policy perspective provides a qualitative cost-effectiveness assessment of different energy access strategies. We discuss the different cost factors and account for differences in impact potentials and sustainability challenges across rural energy access options. We include on-grid and off-grid electrification as well as improved cooking technologies. The focus is on rural sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where energy access rates are low. We diagnose largely disappointing impacts of high-power electrification technologies, turning stand-alone solar into the more cost-effective electrification strategy in that setting. We conclude by emphasizing the high impact-cost ratio for energy-efficient biomass cookstoves. • This paper discusses the cost-effectiveness of different energy access technologies (electrification and cooking). • Our qualitative benchmarking approach considers both impact potentials and sustainability challenges. • From a cost-effectiveness perspective, it is hard to make a case for on-grid electrification. • Mini-grid electrification is hampered by unresolved sustainability challenges. • Home solar and especially improved cookstoves stand out as the most cost-effective solutions.