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10 years after: Long-term adoption of electricity in rural Rwanda

Author

Listed:
  • Masselus, Lise
  • Ankel-Peters, Jörg
  • Gonzalez Sutil, Gabriel
  • Modi, Vijay
  • Mugyenyi, Joel
  • Munyehirwe, Anicet
  • Williams, Nathan
  • Sievert, Maximiliane

Abstract

Extending the power grid into hitherto unconnected areas is high on the policy agenda in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, connection rates and electricity consumption remain low in grid connected areas, at least in the short and medium run. This paper provides a long-term follow-up on an evaluation of a large-scale grid extension program in rural Rwanda. We study the adoption of grid electricity over time using a panel of 41 communities that were electrified up to ten years ago. We find that connection rates for households living near the grid increased from 62% in 2013 to 82% in 2022. At the wider community level, connection rates are much lower, at 51%. Furthermore, electricity consumption and appliance usage are low and did not grow over time. We corroborate these findings with administrative consumption data from the utility customer data base. Our findings suggest that investments into gridbased rural electrification cannot be justified by economic development impacts and cost-benefit considerations.

Suggested Citation

  • Masselus, Lise & Ankel-Peters, Jörg & Gonzalez Sutil, Gabriel & Modi, Vijay & Mugyenyi, Joel & Munyehirwe, Anicet & Williams, Nathan & Sievert, Maximiliane, 2024. "10 years after: Long-term adoption of electricity in rural Rwanda," Ruhr Economic Papers 1086, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:300563
    DOI: 10.4419/96973261
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tanguy Bernard & Maximo Torero, 2015. "Social Interaction Effects and Connection to Electricity: Experimental Evidence from Rural Ethiopia," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 63(3), pages 459-484.
    2. Robin Burgess & Michael Greenstone & Nicholas Ryan & Anant Sudarshan, 2020. "The Consequences of Treating Electricity as a Right," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 34(1), pages 145-169, Winter.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Energy access; energy consumption; energy use; electricity; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H54 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Infrastructures
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices

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