Energy Sector Analysis Study
Technical Assistance|Activity Status: Closed
Overview
The objective of this study is to inform the preparation to the access to energy agenda by reviewing lessons from Output-Based Aid projects in the water sector. The study will provide recommendations for mainstreaming OBA as well as reflect on the impact that the projects have made collectively in the sector. Relying on GPOBA’s best practices and lessons, the study will highlight the areas of focus during project identification, structuring and implementation in different sub-sectors, as well as recommend lesson-gathering practices throughout the project cycle.
The activities are completed and the analytical deliverables presented at the Program Council Meeting of GPOBA and approved in June 2016. Similarly to the water study above, this study demonstrated how the OBA instrument has been in demand in country contexts with weak service delivery. The report notes within the OBA energy portfolio a subset of successful projects that support mini-grids and solar home systems. The availability of renewable energy companies can be a sign of sophistication of the sector that, with the incentive to deliver that OBA provides, is well suited for electrification agenda of low-income families. On the other hand, the instances of working with grid-based utilities was more challenging and OBA projects were not disbursing as planned as a result of verification of service. GPOBA portfolio suggests that reliance on national power utilities, seemingly natural partners for electrification of the poor, can be a risky undertaking, and that the OBA instrument is appropriate because it does not disburse if access is not delivered.