Energy Services for the World's Poor

Millions of households in the developing world lack access to safe and reliable energy - and pay high prices for poor quality substitutes. Using case studies and surveys, this report investigates how developing country governments and other players in the energy sector could address these needs.

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Millions of households in the developing world still lack access to safe and reliable energy - and pay high prices for poor quality substitutes. Addressing their needs poses a major challenge for developing country governments and for all other players in the energy sector - private firms, financiers, regulators, non-governmental organizations and multi-lateral and donor agencies. This report serves as a resource in this effort, bringing together survey papers and case studies that reflect the views and experience of authors from wide-ranging backgrounds. It focuses on these broad themes: understanding the challenge of expanding access to energy for low-income households and communities in developing countries and facilitating tecnological and commercial innovations in serving the poor, through market structure and regulatory reform.