Centro de Documentación OLADE -

This report highlights the crucial role of quality infrastructure (QI) -standards, testing, certification- for a rapid and sustained market growth for renewable mini-grids. Transforming the global energy system in line with global climate and sustainability goals calls for rapid uptake of renewables for all kinds of energy use. Renewable mini-grids can be key providers of electricity access in remote areas and islands. Furthermore, interconnecting one mini-grid with another, or else with the main grid, can bring multiple benefits. Grid-connected mini-grids can increase power resilience and reliability, while allowing the integration of higher share of renewable electricity and therefore decreasing energy costs. Mini-grids are complex systems with different suppliers, they are developed for different applications and there is often high regulatory uncertainty regarding their installation and operation. The sustainable market growth and long-term profitability of mini-grid systems requires quality infrastructure (QI).