Issues and problems in the power sectors of developing countries

Abstract Electricity demand in developing countries is likely to grow at more than 6% per annum over the next few decades, compared to little over 1% in the developed world. This will require huge investments for which the capital will not be available if the power sectors in these countries continue to perform as badly as they do now. It also has serious environmental implications for the countries themselves and the world at large. Steps can be taken now to reduce both capital needs and environmental impacts by more than one half if the operational performance of the power sectors in these countries could be improved and brought up to standards prevailing in the developed world.