Grid extension vs. off-grid systems in rural Areas: Methodologies, tools, and criteria for decision-making
Summary. This scoping review of 136 studies examines how decision-makers choose between grid extension and off-grid systems for rural electrification in developing countries. The authors find that current methodologies treat these options separately despite their coexistence in real planning scenarios. Existing frameworks fail to integrate technical, economic, social, environmental, and institutional dimensions comprehensively, and lack unified indicators for meaningful comparison. The review calls for more integrated decision-making tools that address the complexity of electrification choices in grid-adjacent rural areas.
Cite this article
Acevedo-Arenas, C. Y., Guerrero-Macias, J. E., Muñoz-Maldonado, Y. A., Amado-Alvarado, J. S., & Petit-Suárez, J. F.. (2025). Grid extension vs. off-grid systems in rural Areas: Methodologies, tools, and criteria for decision-making. Utilities Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2025.102028
Acevedo-Arenas, César Y., et al. “Grid extension vs. off-grid systems in rural Areas: Methodologies, tools, and criteria for decision-making.” Utilities Policy, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2025.102028.
Acevedo-Arenas, César Y., Julian E. Guerrero-Macias, Yecid A. Muñoz-Maldonado, Johan S. Amado-Alvarado, and Johann F. Petit-Suárez. 2025. “Grid extension vs. off-grid systems in rural Areas: Methodologies, tools, and criteria for decision-making.” Utilities Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2025.102028.
@article{acevedo-arenas-2025-grid-extension-vs-off-grid,
title = {Grid extension vs. off-grid systems in rural Areas: Methodologies, tools, and criteria for decision-making},
author = {César Y. Acevedo-Arenas and Julian E. Guerrero-Macias and Yecid A. Muñoz-Maldonado and Johan S. Amado-Alvarado and Johann F. Petit-Suárez},
journal = {Utilities Policy},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1016/j.jup.2025.102028},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2025.102028}
}
TY - JOUR TI - Grid extension vs. off-grid systems in rural Areas: Methodologies, tools, and criteria for decision-making AU - César Y. Acevedo-Arenas AU - Julian E. Guerrero-Macias AU - Yecid A. Muñoz-Maldonado AU - Johan S. Amado-Alvarado AU - Johann F. Petit-Suárez JO - Utilities Policy PY - 2025 DO - 10.1016/j.jup.2025.102028 UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2025.102028 ER -
Details
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jup.2025.102028
- Countries
- Colombia
- Regions
- South America
- Categories
- energy, policy, general-innovation
- Added
- 2026-05-01