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by inglor_cz 761 days ago
Expanding the grid faces a totally different set of roadblocks than expanding individual household's capacity to generate power.

Much of the extant Third World is in its Third World-ey condition because of abysmal governance. That is usually accompanied by infestation of power and grid companies by grandnephews of top politicians etc.; those companies handle a lot of money, are highly centralized, and are thus a prime target for graft.

The bizarre story of South African ESKOM and poisoning of the director who was asked to reduce corruption comes to mind. [0]

[0] https://yris.yira.org/interviews/by-not-speaking-out-when-so...

A country with a well-functioning grid is probably already on its way from poverty.