MADAGASCAR Integrated Energy Access Planning ELECTRIFICATION REPORT

The Madagascar Integrated Energy Access Planning (IEP) Electrification Report provides a geospatial, least-cost strategy to achieve universal electricity access. It evaluates four primary modalities: grid densification, grid expansion, mini-grids (MV and LV), and standalone solar systems (SSS). The report outlines two primary timelines: a baseline scenario for universal access by 2030 and a more conservative scenario for 2040, detailing the technical requirements and financing needed to bridge the access gap for over 18 million people.

• Madagascar faces a significant energy access gap, with an estimated electrification rate of approximately 35 percent as of 2023. The World Bank estimates that over 18 million people currently lack electricity access, making Madagascar the thirteenth largest unelectrified population globally.
• To achieve universal access by 2030, Madagascar must add 2.6 million customers to JIRAMA grids and 7.6 million off-grid customers. Standalone solar systems (SSS) are the most significant modality, projected to serve 52 percent of the 2030 population with 5,713,204 total deployments.
• The total financing requirement to achieve universal access by 2030 is estimated at USD 7,030,478,338. This includes USD 599.5 million for grid densification, USD 762.7 million for grid expansion, USD 2.5 billion for MV mini-grids, USD 667.2 million for LV mini-grids, and approximately USD 2.5 billion for initial and replacement standalone solar systems.
• Grid densification is identified as the most financially efficient modality, requiring only 9 percent of the total CAPEX budget to provide 14 percent of the total future required connections (approximately 1.6 million connections).
• The report identifies a significant potential for mini-grids, categorized into MV (Medium Voltage) and LV (Low Voltage). MV mini-grids, including 'grid-edge' and 'isolated' types, are designed for larger clusters and often use solar-diesel hybrids. LV mini-grids are intended for smaller communities (minimum 100 structures) and are modeled as 100 percent renewable in the base case, though this results in an annual unmet electricity load of 3.8 to 4.5 percent.
• A conservative scenario for universal access by 2040 increases the total financing requirement to USD 11,140,284,432. This increase is primarily driven by the need for a significantly higher volume of standalone solar system replacements over the extended 10-year period.
• The state-owned utility JIRAMA operates under severe financial distress, with tariffs averaging USD 0.12 per kWh, which is roughly half the cost of generation. The utility also suffers from losses estimated at 30 to 35 percent, with 20-30 percent attributed to commercial losses and theft.
• The IEP recommends that JIRAMA prioritize a densification program and conduct a holistic condition assessment of its 96 isolated grids. For grid expansion, the plan limits extensions to 15 km from existing MV infrastructure to avoid power quality issues such as excessive voltage drop.
• The report evaluates the potential for small-scale hydropower to power mini-grids, particularly on the eastern coast where rainfall is higher and more consistent. Analysis identified 41 small hydropower sites within 15 km of 26 MV mini-grids, though detailed site-specific feasibility is still required.
• Electrification of public facilities is a key goal, with specific analysis for healthcare and education. Healthcare facilities are assumed to require tier 2 systems, and the total added grid demand for all grid-connected health facilities is estimated at 4.2 MW.
• The report suggests that lowering the minimum level of service for standalone solar from tier 2 to tier 1 could reduce the Government of Madagascar's (GoM) solar standalone costs by 49 percent, making the program more affordable.

APA

Sustainable Energy for All (2024). MADAGASCAR Integrated Energy Access Planning ELECTRIFICATION REPORT. https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2024-07/report-madagascar-iep_electrification-en.pdf

Chicago

Sustainable Energy for All. MADAGASCAR Integrated Energy Access Planning ELECTRIFICATION REPORT. 2024. https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2024-07/report-madagascar-iep_electrification-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Sustainable Energy for All |title=MADAGASCAR Integrated Energy Access Planning ELECTRIFICATION REPORT |date=June 2024 |url=https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2024-07/report-madagascar-iep_electrification-en.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sustainableenergyforall2024madagascar, author = {{Sustainable Energy for All}}, title = {{MADAGASCAR Integrated Energy Access Planning ELECTRIFICATION REPORT}}, institution = {Sustainable Energy for All}, year = {2024}, month = jun, url = {https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2024-07/report-madagascar-iep_electrification-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }