The importance of energy access as a core development issue is increasingly recognized.  A lack of access to modern energy services: hampers services in health and education; constrains businesses, individual empowerment and agricultural production; profoundly limits economic development; and disproportionately affects women.  Modern energy is also crucial in providing many of the key priorities of the world’s poorest people.  However, despite its centrality to human development, modern energy access was not included in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).   Therefore, efforts to increase access to this essential service failed to benefit from the increased prioritization that was afforded to the MDGs. 

Currently over 1.3 billion people still lack access to electricity and nearly 40% of the world's population—rely on wood, coal, charcoal, or animal waste to cook their food and heat their home—breathing in toxic smoke that contributes to over three million premature deaths a year, mostly of women and children.  Additionally without further action to increase energy access in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, 48% of the population will remain without electricity access and 65% of the population will still cook using such inefficient, polluting, fuel sources.  When access to energy services is so central to health, agriculture, education and economic growth it is difficult to see how extreme poverty can be eradicated in 2030 without addressing this lack of energy access.  There is therefore an immediate need to increase international efforts to scale up energy access in order to to alleviate extreme poverty.  

Noting that the post 2015 framework is expected to guide efforts to eradicate extreme poverty it is crucial that this increased prioritization of providing modern energy access is reflected in the framework.  In determining how to do this it is worth noting that with the MDGs resources and priorities have predominantly been directed towards the main eight goals - and specifically those goals which where measurable and accountable.   As such, to ensure that increasing energy access is prioritized to the level needed it is suggested: the post 2015 framework should include a goal on increasing modern energy access.  This goal will include indicators to measure and track progress towards achieving universal modern energy access. 

In defining indicators to measure modern energy access, it will be crucial to have comparable indicators at the national level.  However, modern energy access has multiple facets and this needs to be appreciated and measured to ensure that: (1) reliable, affordable, and safe energy is truly provided, and (2) so that leaders can be held accountable in providing such access.  As part of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative the world’s leading energy organizations have been developing a Global Tracking Report and corresponding indicator set for measuring modern energy access at national and sub-national levels.  This can provide the basis for the indicator set for energy access in the post 2015 framework. 

ONE recognizes that in gathering data on modern energy access – something which will be crucial to measure progress and hold leaders accountable - there is currently insufficient data.  As such, there is a need for greater investment by the international community in the Demographic and Health Survey, and other surveys, to measure all facets of energy access.  The international community should therefore immediately begin work with the SE4ALL Global Tracking Report writers to explore how to do this.

Post 2015 energy goal

The world currently lacks an agreed global target to improve access to electricity. The targets that do exist lack ambition.

The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2011 provides a definition of what its own energy access targets would deliver in terms of electricity for domestic use and this is the standard to which most participants in discussions on energy access seem to refer. In rural areas their targets would support “use of a floor fan, a mobile phone, and two compact fluorescent light bulbs for about five hours a day. In urban areas, consumption might also include an efficient refrigerator, a second mobile phone per household and another appliance, such as a small television or a computer.” Critically, the definition also states “some other categories are excluded, such as electricity access to business.”

The targets also focus on the need to provide clean cooking fuels. This is vitally important because the burning of wood and dung reduces air quality in the home. It is also a major cause of respiratory disease. Alongside providing small-scale, off-grid renewable power sources, providing clean cooking fuels will be important in the short to medium term in addressing the health challenges caused by energy poverty.  However, targets based solely on providing for these minimal requirements ignore the true scale of effort needed to eradicate poverty – and the energy needed to match that ambition.

A recent study (Bazilian, et al, “Energy access scenarios to 2030 for the power sector in sub-Saharan Africa”) considered the current situation in sub-Saharan Africa. It looked at the expansion of electricity that would be needed on an economy-wide basis to address energy access comprehensively. To reach what the study described as “moderate access” to energy, where electricity generation capacity is around 200-400MW per million of population, the region would need a total of around 374GW of installed capacity. That’s about 12 times the capacity that exists in sub-Saharan Africa today.

To achieve that level of capacity, the study estimated that an annual growth rate in electricity of around 13% would be needed for the next 20 years. In the past 20 years the average has been only 1.7%. This demonstrates the significant challenge faced in providing a genuine level of energy access.

To consider this issue in context, South Africa currently has around 800MW of installed capacity per million people, and yet still faces its own significant challenges in providing energy to its population. India currently has an installed capacity of around 130GW per million people while in the United States and Europe the figures are around 2826MW and 1733MW respectively.

The Sustainable Development Goal on energy must not be limited simply to addressing immediate needs through small scale solutions, rather it should also look to larger scale solutions to provide affordable and reliable baseload electricity.

There also needs to be recognition that all sources of energy will have a role to play. There cannot be exclusive focus renewable sources of energy. The Sustainable Development Goal on energy must recognise that developing countries will want to use their own economic and natural resources to fuel their energy systems. There must be recognition of the role of fossil fuels, and particularly coal, will play in delivering energy access.

Coal resources exist in many developing countries, including those with significant energy challenges. Coal will therefore play a major role in supporting the development of base-load electricity where it is most needed. Coal-fired electricity will be fed into national grids and it will bring energy access to millions and support economic growth in the developing world.

The World Energy Outlook 2011 highlights that “coal alone accounts for more than 50% of the total on-grid additions” required to achieve the IEA’s Energy for All case. This clearly demonstrates coal’s fundamental role in supporting modern base-load electricity. Many countries with electricity challenges are also able to access coal resources in an affordable and secure way to fuel the growth in their electricity supply.

The Sustainable Development Goal on energy must therefore also support the deployment of cleaner coal technologies in developing countries, such as high efficiency, low emission power generation and in time carbon capture use and storage. It should call on the international community to help deliver those technologies to help ensure that a Sustainable Development Goal on energy is also consistent with international climate targets.

The development of mankind has resulted in a 7-fold increase in population over the last 2 centuries. We have roughly 7 billion people living today.  Alongside this population growth, economic output has increase more than 100-fold, energy production 30-fold and associated CO₂ emissions some 20-fold.  This impressive development translates to an average annual income of more than $10,000 per person.  However, today some 1.3 billion people were surviving on less than $1.25 a day (roughly $450 per year).

Approaching global inequality from energy entry point, mirrors that of the income disparity. Roughly 60% of global final energy is used by the richest 20%, with only 5% going to the poorest 20%.  The relationship to greenhouse gas emissions is similar: with the richest 20% accounting for roughly 60% of global emissions. The 1.5 billion people with no access to electricity hardly contribute to global emissions, with the top 20% accounting for the consumption of almost 80% of global electricity production.  Three billion people still rely on solid fuels for cooking, and as a result suffer the effects of indoor pollution account for 4 million death per year, almost four times the global deaths due to malaria.

This illustrates that ensuring universal access to modern energy, and the resulting social and economic development associated with it, needs to be one the of the primary objectives in the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.

Historical trends along the so called business-as-usual pathway cannot resolve these issues. With an additional 2 billion people entering the world by 2050, coupled with our ever energy intensive development paths implies a doubling of primary energy needs (and resulting emissions), only to fulfill the most basic needs for energy services.  It is important then that we adopt and maintain a long-term perspective by taking into account the changes and development patterns over time. On a global scale, this transition towards sustainability needs to transcend differing political systems and mistrust between nations in the basic agreement that we all share common concerns and priorities.

Energy access is but one aspect of transforming the world’s energy systems, which is central to achieving our future objectives without putting the planet under even more pressure. Global transformations are already taking place: by 2050, almost two-thirds of people will be living in urban areas, resulting in final energy use from cities estimated to account for up to 80% of final energy use. In some ways this calls for a transformation within a transformation, and offers a great opportunity for improving energy efficiency and structures in these new urban centers. The risk remains, however, for escalating unsustainable energy demand if not offset by radical efficiency improvements.  This risk to urban centers may be even greater with respect to providing clean water and sanitation services as well as ensuring food security.

We share the objective to reduce inequity on a global scale while at the same time limiting the effects of climate change. When boiled down to entry points within the energy system, this translates to a drastic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously ensuring universal access to modern energy services. Decarbonization, that is, reducing the carbon intensity of energy, i.e., the amount of carbon emitted per unit of energy used, through improving energy efficiency, is essential to reaching long term climate goals. There are important synergies between these two goals.  Modern energy services are more efficient than traditional biomass; the acceleration of energy access would contribute to a more rapid increase in energy efficiency (by four- or five-fold), while increased energy efficiency effectively allows for existing and new infrastructures to reach more people by freeing up capital resources for energy access investments. Efficiency improvements itself also accelerates the necessary decarbonization of the energy system. By promoting renewable energy through smart centralized and decentralized grids, as well as decarbonization of fossil energy and nuclear power in some regions, we not only reduce GHG emissions and local pollution, but allow for more self-sufficient communities while offering insulation for communities from fuel-price volatility.

To achieve the ambitious goals required for the post-2015 development agenda, it is imperative that all stakeholders are involved. In particular in the case of energy, with required investments for access, efficiency and decarbonization, the private sector, needs to be engaged from the beginning in order to assure the financing. The public sector and the United Nations system are central in catalyzing this process, but cannot themselves provide the needed investment. Civil society at large, including NGOs need to be strongly engaged from the beginning, not only as a support to the private and public sectors, but also as a checking mechanism to ensure that the energy transformation is thoroughly vetted for its potential benefits as well as to avoid unforeseen adverse impacts.

Practical Action response to Question 2 (global goals, targets and indicators)

Practical Action is acutely aware of the importance of a global goal on energy access being included in the post-2015 development framework. Its omission from the set of MDGs left the sector behind, and meant the crucial role energy access plays in catalysing development was neglected.

A set of goals, targets and indicators on energy will need to fulfill certain criteria if they are to be of use and have real traction as part of the post-2015 landscape. The water, sanitation and hygiene community has also reflected on this, and proposed that any targets in this sector need to have some of the following characteristics (I have paraphrased from page 2-3 of the linked document):

• There needs to be a simple, inspirational vision around universal access


• Targets should reflect the progressive realization of access


• Targets should reflect both increases in numbers of people accessing energy, and improvements in service levels


• Targets should look beyond homes (in the case to WASH to include schools and health centres)


• Targets should be unambiguous and easily communicable.


• They should be based on clear and comprehensive definitions which are needed to capture the details and full aspirations of the targets

All of these seem highly applicable in the context of energy.

Bearing this in mind, cognisant of the progress and momentum behind them, Practical Action is supportive of the adoption of the ‘Sustainable Energy For All’ goals within the post-2015 development framework, with a couple of caveats. We note that this is the approach also taken, e.g. by Save the Children in their proposal for a post-2015 framework. The SE4ALL objectives are:

• Ensure universal access to modern energy services


• Double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency


• Double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

Practical Action’s focus is on the energy access needs of the world’s poor – the 1.3 billion people without electricity, and 2.7 billion still cooking on open fires.

Focusing on the objective of ‘universal access to modern energy services’, we need to develop a clearer set of definitions of what this actually means. There are three parts to the statement which need further explanation.

1. Universal Access. The definition of this needs to encompass access to energy in the home, for productive uses, and for community services such as in schools and health centres.

2. Modern Energy. The recent draft of the ‘Global Tracking Framework’ being developed by the World Bank, Practical Action and others recognises that there is no generally accepted definition of modern energy but that “access to modern energy has been typically defined as an electricity connection in the household and use of non-solid fuels”. One change the framework is proposing is to accept that ‘modern energy’ can include ‘cook stoves using solid fuels that have performance characteristics comparable to modern fuels’. The same is true for electricity – it is the characteristics of the connection (how much electricity is supplied, and how reliably) that are as important as the type of that connection (whether it is on-grid, mini-grid or off-grid).

 We would like to see this distinction made more clearly in the Global Tracking Framework – in particular in the two 2^nd tier thresholds it is proposing for ‘energy access’ to be measured at the global level. Currently these are just ‘household electricity connection’ and ‘use of a non-solid fuel’. We would like these to be based on performance characteristics rather than just the presence of a particular connection or use of a type of fuel.

3. Energy Services. As part of our Poor People’s Energy Outlook series, Practical Action has defined the set of energy services that matter to poor people, and against which a set of minimum standards can be defined. These have been defined at the household level for 5 services

1. Lighting


2. Cooking and water heating


3. Space heating


4. Cooling


5. Information and communications

 The Global Tracking Framework proposes that at the global level, we move from a single threshold of ‘access’ for electricity and cooking, to two thresholds. This would encompass the concept of ‘progressive realisation’ of energy access. These are:

Electrification : Two thresholds:
(i) Access to modern lighting
ii) Household electricity connection

Cooking Solutions : Two thresholds:
(i) Use of solid fuel in improved cook stove
(ii) Use of non-solid fuel

The draft tracking framework aims that by 2030 there will be universal access at the level of the first threshold, and significant progress towards the second threshold.

We think the definitions of energy access need a greater focus on services. We would like to see indicators which reflect people’s access to these basic energy services as much as to energy supplies.

The proposed Global Tracking Framework includes this focus, but only at the national level. We would like to encourage countries to adopt ambitious definitions of energy access at the national level, because this may have greater traction in delivering change than global targets. We think this should mean that targets are set at tier 3 or higher of the proposed multi-tier national framework, which would bring definitions more closely in line with the minimum standards we have proposed above.

In terms of targets, Practical Action would like to see the inclusion of financial targets alongside access targets. This is in relation, in particular, to the increased level of funding estimated to be required if energy access is to be achieved, and the fact that a far greater proportion of this funding (55%) needs to be directed towards mini-grid and off-grid solutions if everyone is going to be reached. There should perhaps be a role for SE4ALL in tracking major donor investments in this respect. Our Poor People’s Energy Outlook 2013 analyses financial commitments thus far under SE4ALL and finds them lacking.

Practical Action response to Question 3 (processes and forms of engagement)

We would like to see opportunities for Governments, the Private Sector and Civil Society to participate in the process in an equitable manner. In reality that will require adequate, timely, meaningful and funded provision for civil society (international, regional, national and local) to actively engage in the post-2015 agenda, in terms of design, delivery and M&E.

Target - green environmental forever needed new initiatives  

New energy researchers - the inventor - create a sustainable energy system - completely new -does not depend on any energy sources -does not depend on any energy sources -not noisy -Do not damage the landscape -not affected by extreme weather  -No vibration -can completely replace the previous power system -adapt to global environmental sustainability program

Intended to find solutions Technology and Alternative Energy for the energy crisis and aims to develop new ideas with impact on Economics and the Environment.
Please add my new energy sources 100% Green
Activities such as wind power, but not necessarily placed outdoors, working 24/24h
See my model wind energy. simple - mild-effective-inexpensive, can be placed anywhere in the southernmost islands north pole ( the Arctic and Antarctica )(even cold weather)
It is located in a closed cycle -not too noisy - not interfere with the direction of the wind
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Target - green environmental forever needed new initiatives  

New energy researchers - the inventor - create a sustainable energy system - completely new -does not depend on any energy sources -does not depend on any energy sources -not noisy -Do not damage the landscape -not affected by extreme weather  -No vibration -can completely replace the previous power system -adapt to global environmental sustainability program

Intended to find solutions Technology and Alternative Energy for the energy crisis and aims to develop new ideas with impact on Economics and the Environment.
Please add my new energy sources 100% Green
Activities such as wind power, but not necessarily placed outdoors, working 24/24h
See my model wind energy. simple - mild-effective-inexpensive, can be placed anywhere in the southernmost islands north pole ( the Arctic and Antarctica )(even cold weather)
It is located in a closed cycle -not too noisy - not interfere with the direction of the wind
Details at www.trongdong.weebly.com

Dear all,

An update:

As noted on the main thematic consultation for energy page, this online consultation is a part of a larger  effort to engage as many people and institutions as possible in the post-2015 discussions. This includes a number of in-person events, many of which are taking place the week of March 18 (for example, in Cambodia, Mexico & Tanzania).

There was also an event that took place at UN Headquarters in New York on March 11, in which the co-host Governments of the global energy consultation (the Governments of Mexico, Norway & Tanzania) provided an update. Click here or visit the following site for more information: http://uncsd.iisd.org/news/co-leaders-co-host-governments-provide-update-on-energy-consultation/

Kind regards,

Julie Larsen (dialogue facilitator)

Access to modern energy services is a critical enabler of social and economic development in every sector. The health sector, especially the nexus of energy and women's health, is a great example of how energy issues underlie each of the Millennium Development Goals, and why energy should be a prominent component of the post-2015 development agenda.

The provision of sustainable energy services in developing country community healthcare settings is a cost effective and critical intervention to support maternal and child health. Yet it remains a critically under-resourced area: WHO estimates that 200,000 to 400,000 healthcare facilities in developing countries still lack access to reliable electricity. Hot spots of mortality and disease, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, closely match areas where health facilities lack electricity for lighting, medical equipment, and mobile communication.

Achieving the MDGs for reducing childhood and maternal mortality (MDGs 4 and 5) and combating major diseases (MDG 6) will only be possible if trained health workers are given the tools they need to provide care. This should involve not only access to basic lighting, but also charging options for cellphones and other devices for frontline health workers to facilitate mobile health applications, as well as energy efficient medical equipment to optimize the clinic’s load management.

Solutions are available that touch on all three pillars of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative – universal access to modern energy services, increased use of renewable energy, and improved energy efficiency. The nexus of energy and women’s health has been identified as the latest High Impact Opportunity area under the initiative, with the hope that such linkages will help emphasize and integrate the critical role energy is expected to play in the post-2015 development agenda.

1) In what way(s) can stakeholders and the UN system take action to advance a more integrated approach to energy within the post-2015 development framework?

First - to have an integrated approach to energy, we need to consider other sectors such as water and food. Starting with these consultations, we should be looking at linking discussions across the themes. The Energy consultation might ne interested in this week's crossover issue under the water theme on the water-energy-food nexus - see http://www.worldwewant2015.org/water

NB: The following comment is posted on behalf of ENERGIA International Network on Gender & Sustainable Energy

Need for increased investments in gender mainstreaming in the energy sector

ENERGIA is seeking to promote gender mainstreaming in the context of SE4ALL, both in terms of national and institutional policies and the design and management of energy programmes. We have provided some examples below for illustration. However, substantial levels of additional investments, research and political attention are needed to ensure that energy access initiatives actually provide equal benefits to women.  

Some of ENERGIA’s recommendations include the following:

*Recognition by national and international planners and funders that poor women in developing countries are already active agents of change at the household and community level, and have a strong potential to contribute to national energy security, economic development, and climate change mitigation.    

* Adoption of participatory processes that actively involve women in the design, selection and implementation of renewable energy projects. 

* Support for targeted training programs for women in technical skills, business management, and financing options to support their involvement in renewable energy business opportunities.

*Adoption of gender audits of management processes; gender-based needs assessments, project indicators and evaluation criteria; gender-sensitive budgets and accounting procedures; and engagement of gender experts and advisors.    

Examples of gender mainstreaming in the energy sector

A. Kenya Power

In Kenya, an ENERGIA-sponsored audit of national gender and energy policies focused government attention on the different energy needs and priorities of man and women. In 2010, ENERGIA was asked to assist the country’s electrical utility – Kenya Power – in developing a gender mainstreaming plan. The plan they adopted included commitments to: ensure that women and small businesses are able to obtain electrical connections; include women on all decision-making panels; provide gender training for all staff; make progress towards a target of 30% women for senior management positions; and hire an independent gender expert to support implementation of the gender mainstreaming plan. 

B. Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad)

ENERGIA is providing technical advice and support on gender mainstreaming in Norway’s programmes on ‘Oil for Development’ and ‘Clean Energy for Development’. Norad’s Action Plan for Women's Rights and Gender Equality identified gender sensitivity in energy as a priority area for development cooperation, with commitments to support sustainable energy solutions that ease women's work burdens and improve their access to health and education, and to ensure that both women and men participate in the decision-making, implementation of projects, and management of natural resources in partner countries. To date, ENERGIA and Norad have worked together with governments in Mozambique, Timor-Leste, Uganda, and Liberia. Norway has also strongly supported a gender-responsive approach to financing energy access for all.  

C. Bangladesh - Increasing Opportunities for Women in Renewable Energy Technology Application. In early 2000, Prokaushali Sangsad Ltd. (PSL) was engaged by The World Bank in the design of a national solar programme. The Gender and Energy Network Bangladesh, which is a member of the ENERGIA network, provided support to the project regarding gender mainstreaming. During Phase I of the project, 35 women from a remote village on the island of Char Montaz were engaged in the operation of a micro-enterprise called the Coastal Electrification and Women’s Development Cooperative (CEWDC). The women manufactured and sold efficient fluorescent lamps operable using 12 volt direct current (DC) batteries. The women were given extensive training in manufacturing, quality control, business development and marketing of these lamps. They also set up a diesel battery charging station near the local market, and later established solar battery charging stations. As availability of off-grid electrification services in Bangladesh advanced, the women’s cooperative started to provide micro-financing to rural households for solar home systems, acting as a partner organisation of Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), a national infrastructure financing institution. CEWDC employs approximately 400 staff to run the solar business venture, and has sold more than 24,000 systems.  Lack of finance was a constraint for the expansion and growth of CWEDC since micro-financing for solar home systems tied up funds for a long period, but the partnership with IDCOL provided access to low-cost refinancing. The cooperative is the only women-owned enterprise out of the 30 partners of IDCOL engaged in the national solar home system programme.

D. Kenya – Upesi Cook Stoves Project. Practical Action Eastern Africa and members of the ENERGIA network have been promoting improved energy access in Kenya, with an emphasis on gender issues. Practical Action Eastern Africa started the Upesi Cook Stoves Project in 1986 with the aim of improving the living conditions of women and their income earning opportunities in rural households by training them to make efficient ceramic cook stoves. Existing women’s groups learned how to produce and market the Upesi cook stoves, and also how to draw up business plans, organize and manage production activities, and access credit facilities. At first women mainly focused on producing ceramic stove liners, but now there are women artisans who also make the outside metal cladding and assemble the stoves, making good incomes. In addition, they have developed new stove designs. Building on the work of this project, there are currently many improved cook stoves entrepreneurs in western Kenya employing both men and women in the value chain. Several networks have also been established to support potential and existing entrepreneurs, including the West Kenya Stoves Network and the Kisumu Indoor Air Pollution Network. There are more than 300 community stove installers earning incomes from promotion and dissemination of stoves in the region, and about 1.8 million stoves have been produced in Western Kenya and disseminated nationally.

E. Nepal – Mainstreaming Gender in the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, and the Renewable Energy Sector. The Gender Energy and Water Network Nepal and ENERGIA have advocated for and worked on integrating gender into renewable energy projects. The Alternative Energy Promotion Centre under the Ministry of Environment has been developing and promoting renewable/alternative energy technologies in Nepal, particularly improved stoves (both clay and metal), biogas systems, solar photovoltaic panels and thermal equipment, and improved water mills and small hydro systems. ENERGIA supported gender mainstreaming in AEPC and the renewable energy programme by training the AEPC staff, helping them develop a gender action plan, and providing a gender analysis of energy plans. As a result, measures were taken towards revising the Rural Energy Policy to include a ‘gendered agenda’ in line with the recommendations from the ENERGIA analysis. In addition, AEPC adopted a gender action plan, and also drafted gender-sensitive strategies for implementation of some of the renewable energy projects. In line with the gender action plan, annual work plans have included gender-sensitive activities and also initiated a database using disaggregated data related to ownership of systems and participation in trainings. Additionally, the organisation made it mandatory to include a gender expert in studies related to different technical, economic and social aspects of the technologies it is responsible for. 

F. Tanzania - TaTEDO Integrated Modern Energy Services for Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction. In 2007, TaTEDO initiated a project in 19 districts that aimed to contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction by enhancing energy access for households, small and medium sized enterprises, and social service centres. The project supported enterprise development to empower rural men and women entrepreneurs. The project activities focused on building the technical and business capacity of entrepreneurs as suppliers and users of energy technologies, developing markets, promoting greater use of modern energy technologies in a gender-sensitive way, and facilitating financial support for entrepreneurs.  

The TATEDO project staff developed a gender mainstreaming strategy using the training manual on gender mainstreaming developed by ENERGIA for guidance, and also benefited from ENERGIA capacity building on how to implement this approach. A number of women entrepreneurs have been able to earn new income by using various energy-related technologies such as efficient cook stoves, charcoal baking ovens, solar dryers and biogas plants).

The project found that promotion of modern energy technologies is more effective when beneficiaries are enabled to use energy services productively for income and employment generation. However, this requires (1) proven and replicable business practices, (2) technical and business capacity, (3) predictable, supportive and consistent government policies and regulations, and (4) access to finance suited to the various stages and needs of business development. In order to encourage private investments to support enterprises in rural areas, it was important to establish linkages between local micro-financing institutions and national banking and financing institutions.