ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the concept of energy trajectories to analyse energy transitions on the local level. As an approach, the concept of energy trajectories builds upon the understanding of the socio-technical nature of energy transitions, but does so for specific localities on a decadal time scale. Moreover, trajectories can include different energy end-use technology transitions, such as from biomass to gas for cooking, or from kerosene lights to electricity for lighting. The chapter focuses on the two very different neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia. Phakeo is situated in a resettlement area where, according to government officials, there were no settlements before the first village was established in 1993. Phakeo's village group has been designated as an official target area for development by the government since 2005. In June 2008, Fondem, a French NGO, started the development of a hybrid village grid in cooperation with the Provincial Department of Energy and Mines (PDEM) of Luang Prabang.
