The Challenges of Rural Electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This paper presents challenges of rural electrification. The main technical challenge of rural electrification programme to the power engineer is therefore the designing of an electrical distribution system for a dispersed population. The system should however also be cost effective, relatively stable, affordable and environmentally inoffensive. Also the ability of maintaining such a system so as to provide an acceptable level of power availability, efficiently and cheaply. The Rural Electrification Programme aims at subsidizing part of the initial capital outlay to the consumer while leaving him to meet the running expenses in terms of consumption monthly bills. (4 pages)