This paper analyses four renewable energy-based electrification projects that were implemented by the non-governmental organization Practical Action in the rural area of Cajamarca, Peru. Using the capability approach, the research examines the effect of the projects on the things people value. It confirms that projects provide different benefits to the communities (reducing air pollution caused by candles and kerosene, improving access to communication through television and radio, providing the possibility of night study under appropriate light, etc.), but also detects an expansion of the capabilities in other areas not considered by the non-governmental organization such as those related to religion, leisure or community participation. However, the expansion of capabilities is different for men and women. The study reveals the limitations of interventions designed to supply technology, electrification in this particular case, which do not take into account certain elements that can make the use of technology contribute unequally to the expansion of people's capabilities. The paper concludes that technological projects can generate inequalities, and some recommendations are presented in order to address these issues when planning interventions.

Electrification systems based on renewable energy have proven suitable for providing electricity autonomously to rural communities, thus reducing poverty. When implementing these systems, a management model is usually designed to maximise technical and financial sustainability. Different evaluations of management models have been made that usually centre on products and final utilities. However, this excessively utilitarian vision of development restricts an analysis of the impact that these projects may have on people's lives. To overcome these limitations, we have used the Human Development approach to evaluate the management model of five electrification projects that use different technologies in Cajamarca (Peru). This approach enables a broader assessment of various key dimensions of development that should be considered in the management model. The results show the weaknesses of the design and implementation process of the management model. Several ideas are proposed to avoid these weaknesses and to maximise the chance of success. (C) 2014 International Energy Initiative. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Postprint (author's final draft

Autonomous systems based on the use of renewable energy (RE) have proven suitable for providing energy and sanitation services to isolated communities. However, most of these projects fail due to managerial weaknesses. Designing an appropriate management model is a key issue for sustainability and it is especially complex when includes different RE technologies. This paper is aimed at developing a novel management model for RE projects to provide energy and sanitation services with any kind of technology. Moreover, a new method to evaluate the sustainability is proposed regarding technical, economic, social/ethical, environmental and institutional/organisational dimensions. The case study of Pucara (Peru) is presented, in which a RE project with six different technologies was implemented and the integral community management model was designed in 2011. The project sustainability was evaluated in 2013 and results showed that the management model has succeeded to strengthen sustainability, especially in the institutional/organisational aspects.Postprint (author's final draft