Electricity power reform can stimulate renewable energy use in developing countries. But the moment of opportunity will soon pass. If developing nations adopt rules that lock in conventional technologies, they will lose a unique occasion to develop a clean, economically efficient power sector that serves more people at an affordable price.

This paper explores how different reforms either promote or inhibit the growth of renewables in developing countries. Part I considers the advantages of renewable energy for these nations and its deployment thus far. Part II provides a taxonomy of current reforms. Because the effects of reforms on renewable bulk power and renewable distributed applications differ, Parts III and IV treat these two markets separately. Part V summarizes major conclusions and offers recommendations for using the reform process to promote greater use of renewables.

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