Are technological projects reducing social inequalities and improving people's well-being? A capability approach analysis of renewable energy-based electrification projects in Cajamarca, Peru

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Journal of Human Development and Capabilities on 18/11/2013, available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19452829.2013.837035".[EN] This paper analyses four renewable energy-based electrification projects that were implemented by the non-governmental organization Practical Action in the rural area of Cajamarca, Peru. Using the capability approach, the research examines the effect of the projects on the things people value. It confirms that projects provide different benefits to the communities (reducing air pollution caused by candles and kerosene, improving access to communication through television and radio, providing the possibility of night study under appropriate light, etc.), but also detects an expansion of the capabilities in other areas not considered by the non-governmental organization such as those related to religion, leisure or community participation. However, the expansion of capabilities is different for men and women. The study reveals the limitations of interventions designed to supply technology, electrification in this particular case, which do not take into account certain elements that can make the use of technology contribute unequally to the expansion of people's capabilities. The paper concludes that technological projects can generate inequalities, and some recommendations are presented in order to address these issues when planning interventions.We would like to thank the people from the Peruvian communities where the case study was implemented. Many thanks also to Practical Action-Peru for their collaboration, and to the Centro de Cooperación al Desarrollo of our University who granted this research through Adsideo 2010, and special thanks to José Sastre for his involvement during the fieldwork.Fernández-Baldor Martínez, Á.; Boni Aristizábal, A.; Lillo Rodrigo, P.; Hueso, A. (2014). Are technological projects reducing social inequalities and improving people's well-being? A capability approach analysis of renewable energy-based electrification projects in Cajamarca, Peru. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities. 15(1):13-27. doi:10.1080/19452829.2013.837035S132715