Mbazima, Nandi; (2024) A social analysis of rural electrification through anchor-based mini-grid systems: a case study of Zambia. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

In developing countries, decentralised renewable mini-grid energy systems are principally seen as the “missing middle” solution in providing energy access to rural communities. Within this domain, the anchor-based business model is seen as an innovative archetype that can create financially viable projects to advance electricity access. Yet, little scholarly research has been done to empirically understand the realised outcomes or the socio-cultural and political aspects of electrification through anchor-based systems and why they transpire. Moreover, a well-established abstraction of the anchor entity concept or the anchor model does not exist within the academic literature. This thesis aims to address this research gap. It provides a conceptual framework that characterizes the anchor notion and provides its meaning in the context of this thesis and for the wider energy access field. It proceeds to provide an empirical case study of two such projects in the context of rural Zambia to understand the social outcomes, events and mechanisms that occur within and on the projects, using qualitative research methods. This is done through a critical realist framework in association with the actor-oriented approach, to understand the social practices exhibited by system actors and the existing social structures in which they function. A multitude of findings are divulged. System outcomes exhibit a myriad of positive outcomes that revolutionize lives while prevailing challenges signal important lifestyle shifts. Underpinning them, power dynamics and differentials as well as gender and cultural ideologies are important mechanisms that permeate through and influence the spectrum of anchor system observations. Further, energy justice issues exist, such as poverty disparity, physical system barriers, and traditional norms, that need to be addressed to attain bona fide equity of access.

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