Access to Energy for the Base of the - Ashoka

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� Grid must be able to handle the increased load
� Utility must acquire new skills such as risk admi -
nistration for credit allocation (as with Codensa),
or managing a retail distribution chain (in the case
of Conlog’s credits)
As the example of Delhi’s Slum Electricity
Cooperatives illustrates, a certain amount of political will
is required on the part of the utility and municipality in
order to attempt a new way of working. Finally, leaders
of grid connection enterprises emphasize that the most
important thing is that the community takes ownership.
The community must be defining, supporting, and
refining the service; otherwise, it does not work.
The cases discussed below illustrate that community
associations, pre-pay technology and building
complementary businesses enable companies to connect
poor people to the grid in a safe, affordable, and profitable
manner. These innovations have largely come about one
at a time as a response to unfavorable market conditions.
It remains to be seen what will be accomplished when
these innovations are pro-actively combined to bring
access to energy to the 1b poor people in slums.
CASE STUDY PRODUCT PAGE
LYDEC Gas grid connection 23
Provivienda
Electricity grid
connection 25
Slum Electricity Electricity grid
Cooperative connection 27
Conlog
Pre-pay electricity
meters 29
Codensa
Consumer credit
through electricity bill 31