Fifteen years ago, grid extension, diesel-powered minigrids, and mini-hydropower generators were, for the most part, the only electrification options available to rural communities. With the commercial maturation of various small-scale, renewable energy–based technologies— from solar photovoltaic systems to small wind generators and micro hydropower—along with the
evolution of innovative service delivery models, off-grid or stand-alone service provision has emerged as a viable alternative for increasing electricity access, especially in remote and dispersed communities. More recently, the dramatic rise in fuel prices has further increased the economic attractiveness of these technology options. Among the multilateral development banks, the World Bank is the leading financier of off-grid electrification, with projects across some 25 countries benefitting over 1 million households.