The power of light: socio-economic and environmental implications of a rural electrification program in Brazil

Abstract

Universal access to electricity is deemed critical for improving living standards and indispensable for eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development. In 2003, the 'Luz para Todos' (LpT-Light for All) program was launched aiming to universalize access to electricity in Brazil. The program focused on rural and isolated areas, also targeting to bring development to those regions along with electrification. This paper evaluates the results of the LpT program in improving socio-economic development in the poorest regions of Brazil. After an initial qualitative analysis, an empirical quantitative assessment of the influence of increased electrification rates on the components of the Human Development Index (HDI) is performed. The empirical results of this study showed that electrification had a positive influence on all dimensions of the HDI, with the education component having the strongest effect. Although complementary policies were needed to achieve this, results show that electricity access is a major requirement to improve quality of life.

The Power of Electricity: How Effective Is It in Promoting Sustainable Development in Rural Off-Grid Islands in the Philippines?

“…The uses of electricity are seen in everyday activities such as those in communications, business, transportation, education, and domestic life. In remote areas where most people are poor, electrification is seen to alleviate poverty, increase access to basic services, and advance social systems [1,2]. The importance of electrification is echoed in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals with universal access to electricity and increased renewable energy adoption envisioned by the year 2030 [3].…”

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“…Impact: 462,000 new direct and indirect jobs have been created and around 244,000 women began productive activities, for example, opening small shops and restaurants, etc. (Bezerra et al, 2017). By December 2017, more than 16 million people benefited from the program.…”

“…Education was the area most influenced by electrification. This should lead to labor productivity growth (Bezerra et al, 2017). The signatories of the Paris Agreement have agreed to pursue efforts to limit global warming to between 1.5°C and 2°C.…”

Energy access for sustainable development

“…These benefits may be reflected in a positive correlation between electricity access and higher levels of Human Development Index (HDI). A paper by Borges et al (2017), featured in this focus issue, presents the case of Brazil's Luz para Todos (Light for All) programme, a rural electrification policy launched in 2003 to electrify 10 million households within a 5 year period. The paper aimed to show the correlation between electrification and three dimensions of Municipal HDI, consisting of income, education and health.…”