Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Award Date
2026
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Economics
First Advisor
Michelle Fleig-Palmer
Abstract
Energy is the fuel that powers the engine of civilization. Energy access metrics ensure that nations continuously work towards providing access for all. However, the prevalent binary indicator fails to consider that energy needs to be usable, accessible, affordable, and reliable. As a result, numerous tiered and multidimensional metrics, such as the Multi-Tier Framework, came about to bridge the gap but proved to be complex and complicated to implement. This study presents the existing literature review, assesses the limitations of current energy access measurement frameworks, and compares household energy needs with reported access statistics. Based on the findings, the Lived Energy Experience Index (LEEI), a pragmatic framework, is developed. The LEEI integrates autonomy constraints and hybrid energy practices into access measurement, arguing that policy progress requires understanding of how households actually live with electricity, not merely how many have it. Using Rwanda’s Multi-Tier Framework (MTF), the model combines service capability, reliability, affordability, and hybridization into a single weighted score. The framework distinguishes nominal from stable access, highlighting how households sustain energy use over time. By capturing household autonomy constraints and informal energy practices, this approach provides a more accurate picture of real household energy conditions and supports policies aimed at achieving sustained, equitable energy access.
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Ishimwe, Kentina Annie, "Towards Energy Access for All: Developing the Lived Energy Experience Index (LEEI)" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2048.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd2/2048
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