Energy for productive uses. What do we know? And for Bolivia’s MSEs?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52428/20758944.v21i58.1372Keywords:
Micro and small enterprises, Productive Uses of Energy, Energy vulnerabilityAbstract
In recent decades, electricity coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean has improved significantly. However, deep inequalities still exist in rural areas, particularly concerning access to, quality of, and affordability of energy supply. In the context of the energy transition and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this paper examines the challenges that productive units face in accessing energy services and fulfilling their energy needs. A theoretical-conceptual review and analysis of aggregated secondary data were conducted to understand how inadequate access to energy hampers productivity, competitiveness, and job creation within these units. The paper discusses the concept of vulnerability in the productive use of energy, highlighting factors related to insufficient energy conditions that adversely affect the productivity of enterprises.
As part of the GENERIS project, an investigation was conducted on the access, use, and quality of energy services in rural productive units in Bolivia, focusing on micro and small enterprises (MSEs). The findings indicate that merely having access to energy is not enough for productive development; comprehensive support is also essential in areas such as financing, equipment, information, and market access.
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