this is especially relevant in the context of efforts to expand access and integrate renewables in electricity systems through an optimal mix of centralized and distributed generation chattopadhyay et al planning should encompass choices between private and public provision of electricity and private and public financing for example public provision through centralized systems provides an opportunity for crosssubsidization to increase affordability while distributed or standalone systems locally operated by the private sector usually aim to be financially selfsustaining with full recovery of operating and maintenance costs