Expanding renewable energy access with pro-poor public private partnerships in the developing world

The provision of energy services through renewable energy is capital intensive and requires significant upfront costs compared to conventional energy technology. In most of cases, government investments and public budgets have proved insufficient to expand access to electricity and modern energy in rural areas in a sustainable manner. There is a great need for mobilizing financial resources to expand local energy services delivery in the developing world. Pro-poor public–private partnerships are one of the best mechanisms to supplement and overcome government budgetary constraints for widening access to energy services, especially to the poor, as they can allocate project-risks between the public and private sector. This article explores eight case studies throughout the world of where pro-poor public private partnerships for renewable energy have expanded access to energy services for those most in need of them.

► There is a great need for mobilizing financial resources to expand energy services delivery in the developing world.
► Pro-poor public–private partnerships are one of the best mechanisms to achieve this delivery.
► Eight case studies confirm the value of pro-poor public private partnerships for renewable energy.