Renewable-based electrification for remote locations. Does short-term success endure over time? A case study in Peru

Stand-alone electrification systems based on renewable energies are suitable for electrifying isolated rural communities. After some years of operation, their impact on the development of beneficiaries must be evaluated; in order to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each design option and to learn useful lessons for future projects. The literature lacks a unified study that compares the long-term impact on population of several projects combining different options for electricity generation (solar PV, wind and hydro) and distribution (microgrids and individual systems). In this context, this work performs a two-phase assessment of 9 electrification projects combining different systems and located in 6 rural Peruvian communities. First, a qualitative analysis is performed to monitor the progress experienced by the communities, considering previous evaluations carried out shortly after the projects’ implementation. Second, an in-depth analysis of the systems and the development of the communities is quantitatively performed through 28 indicators, evaluating 9 sustainability objectives organised into 4 dimensions: technical, social, economic and environmental. The results show that microgrid projects require and encourage community involvement to promote effective maintenance of the shared equipment. Conversely, individual systems can work for longer periods without as much regular maintenance, but still need an efficient management model to raise funds for repairs. Also, hydro is confirmed as providing continuous and high-quality supply, while solar and wind options allow more flexible designs. In all cases, a well-planned management model is essential for reducing the default rate, organizing effective maintenance and allowing the sustainable development of the community.Peer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::7 - Energia Assequible i No Contaminant::7.1 - Per a 2030, garantir l’accés universal a serveis d’energia assequibles, confiables i modernsObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::7 - Energia Assequible i No Contaminant::7.2 - Per a 2030, augmentar substancialment el percentatge d’energia renovable en el con­junt de fonts d’energiaObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::7 - Energia Assequible i No Contaminant::7.a - Per a 2030, augmentar la cooperació internacional per tal de facilitar l’accés a la investigació i a les tecnolo­gies energètiques no contaminants, incloses les fonts d’energia renovables, l’eficiència energètica i les tecnologies de combustibles fòssils avançades i menys contaminants, i promoure la inversió en infraestructures energètiques i tecnologies d’energia no contaminantObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::7 - Energia Assequible i No ContaminantObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::7 - Energia Assequible i No Contaminant::7.b - Per a 2030, ampliar la infraestructura i millorar la tecnologia per tal d’oferir serveis d’energia moderns i sos­tenibles per a tots els països en desenvolupament, en particular els països menys avançats, els petits estats insulars en desenvolupament i els països en desenvolupament sense litoral, d’acord amb els programes de suport respectiusObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::10 - Reducció de les DesigualtatsObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::10 - Reducció de les Desigualtats::10.2 - Per a 2030, potenciar i promoure la inclusió social, econòmica i política de totes les persones, independentment de l’edat, sexe, discapacitat, raça, ètnia, origen, religió, situació econòmica o altra condicióPostprint (author's final draft