Energy Sufficiency for Rural Communities: The Case of The Bolivian Lowlands

Abstract

Access to energy has proved to have strong links to other dimensions of socio-economic develop ment. As a first step to ensure electricity coverage in developing countries’ rural communities, a minimum energy access must be settled. To do this, the theoretical concept of energy sufficiency is expanded to fit in the rural energy access logic. Ideally, un-electrified communities must move from low energy consumption states to a position where they consume enough to have a contin uous development without risking global environment goals. For that purpose, a bibliographic review is performed to define the components of an ideal rural community where people’s basic needs for energy services are met equitably. Main findings show that besides the household component, public lighting, education, health, water and production services must be considered at the moment of estimated energy demands for rural electrification. To test the implication of this, a series of plausible village configurations of the Bolivian lowlands are proposed and simulated using a bottom-up stochastic model. Not considering community services and income generating activities, carries a 45 % underestimation on peak demand. In addition, improving people’s living conditions has a considerable effect on the electricity demand of Bolivia’s rural lowland communities