ABSTRACT
Electricité de France is developping a global approach for decentralised rural electrification. This approach encompasses the institutional, organisational, technical, tariffs and financial aspects, and leads to the use of renewable energies in optimised techico-economic conditions. Ultimately the aim is to provide not only electricity but multiple services (electricity, water, telephone,...) to wide rural areas. This method is especially adapted to developing countries in which the electrical system is still restricted to urban areas. Among the research performed, a specific R&D effort has been done to define a planning software and also to enhance the performance of autonomous systems such as photovoltaic systems, wind energy systems, diesel or hydro micro-plants likely to be used in that context. The R&D effort is also aiming to develop a range of standardised systems. Moreover, a particular emphasis has been put on financial aspects and especially the determination of tariff structures compatible with the low revenues of rural populations.
