Lily Odarno

This report documents the status of and experiences with mini-grid systems in Tanzania. It sheds light on the experiences ofsmall power producers operating mini-grids,explains the choices they make regarding different technologies and business ownership models, and evaluates how these choices are working out in practice. The report identifies a number of success factors in mini-grid development and operation,highlights challenges that impede progress, and recommends actions to streamline and acceleratethe development of mini-grids in Tanzania. Itis based on primary and secondary research,including interviews with representatives from government, the public utility, the Rural Energy Agency, mini-grid developers, funding partners,and villagers in Tanzania. The evidence presentedcan inform policymakers, development partners,and other stakeholders in Sub-Saharan African countries who wish to develop their own strategies for mini-grid development.

Suggested Citation: Mentis, D., L. Odarno, D. Wood, F. Jendle, E. Mazur, A. Qehaja, and F. Gassert. 2019. “Energy Access Explorer: Data and Methods.” Technical Note. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute. Available online at: www.wri.org/publication/energy-access-explorer. CONTENTS Abstract ............................................................1

The work of the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) has already demonstrated that people’s access to electricity supply cannot be understood as a binary issue of “connected/not connected.” ESMAP’s Multi-tier Framework for electricity access defines five tiers of access, each tier involving progressively higher demands in terms of power delivery and hours of availability. It emphasizes the real potential of nontraditional energy supply systems, like minigrids and stand-alone solar home systems, to contribute to development.

The 10 Questions to Ask Series, or the 10Qs Series, is an initiative of the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Electricity Governance Initiative (EGI) and Prayas Energy Group. Each paper in the series asks a set of 10 questions relevant to a particular topic within the broader electricity sector. It aims to build the capacity of electricity sector stakeholders—government agencies, regulators, utilities, the private sector, civil society and others—to design and participate in policy-making and implementation processes. The series pays particular attention to public interests—interests in which society has a stake and that warrant government recognition, promotion, and protection. These interests may include decisions concerning public expenditures, affordability, service quality, and impact on local and global resources. We consider “good” electricity policies to be those designed to improve the effectiveness of public expenditures, reduce unnecessary costs, raise the quality of serv...

CONTENTS Executive Summary ....................................... 1 Energy and Development ................................ 5 Working across Sectors .................................. 8 Building the Ecosystem for a Linked Energy and Development Agenda .................................. 11 Toward a Linked Vision ...................................17 List of Abbreviations .....................................22 Endnotes..................................................23 References ...............................................23