Solar eclipse or managerial breakdown? Governance and sustainability of solar mini-grids in Colombian island communities

Abstract

Despite rapid growth in renewable energy deployment, ensuring the long-term sustainability of off-grid solar mini-grids remains a challenge, particularly in remote and underserved regions. This study examines the decade-long performance of hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV)-diesel mini-grids in three Colombian island communities, Isla Fuerte, Isla Múcura, and Santa Cruz del Islote, where initially successful installations have since experienced declining service quality. Drawing on ten years of electricity provision data, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups, the analysis identifies interrelated technical, managerial, and institutional factors that undermine sustainability. Key drivers include limited community engagement during planning, insufficient operator training, inadequate maintenance, and weak communication between local and central actors. Contrary to common assumptions that professionalized management guarantees reliability, the transition from community to private operation often failed to improve outcomes in the absence of stable financial and regulatory support. The study also reveals how rapid demographic and economic change outpaced systems originally designed for basic residential use. By linking governance dynamics with long-term performance data, the research provides empirical evidence from an under examined Latin American island context. Policy recommendations emphasize the importance of participatory governance, continuous capacity building, and performance-based maintenance frameworks to enhance the resilience and inclusiveness of mini-grids in remote areas.