Abstract:
Renewable energy is shifting from the fringe to the mainstream of sustainable
development. Past donor efforts achieved modest results but often were not
sustained or replicated, which leads now to greater market orientation. Markets for
rural household lighting with solar home systems, biogas, and small hydro power have
expanded through rural entrepreneurship, government programs, and donor assistance,
serving millions of households. Applications in agriculture, small industry, and social
services are emerging. Public programs resulted in 220 million improved biomass cook
stoves. Three percent of power generation capacity is largely small hydro and biomass
power, with rapid growth of wind power. Experience suggests the need for technical
know-how transfer, new replicable business models, credit for rural households and entrepreneurs,
regulatory frameworks and financing for private power developers, market
facilitation organizations, donor assistance aimed at expanding sustainable markets,
smarter subsidies, and greater attention to social benefits and income generation.
Author:
Eric Martinot, Akanksha Chaurey, Debra Lew, Jose Roberto Moreira, Njeri Wamukonya
Institution:
Global Environment Facility
Industry Focus:
Manufacturing
Energy
Information & Telecommunication
Transport
Machinery & Equipment
Legal & Financial