Les mini-réseaux électriques comme exemple d’application des thèses d’Elinor Ostrom sur la gouvernance polycentrique de la tragédie des communs

This paper focuses on the governance issues that need to be addressed in order to make progress towards the goal of sustainable development n° 7 on access to energy. The starting point of the analysis is the observation of major problems of governance in the electricity grids of countries lagging behind in access to electricity. These governance problems, which incur high costs for network users, are part of Elinor Ostrom?s interpretation of the tragedy of the commons. Mini-grid projects, whose technical and economic feasibility has been strengthened in recent years by advances in renewable sources electricity generation, are a realistic response to these challenges. Polycentric governance, as envisaged by Elinor Ostrom, would resolve the tragedy of the commons. Some lessons learnt from recent rural electrification projects help identify the key factors for the success of such projects. Codes JEL : L94, O18, Q42.