Improving Access to Energy Services: Submitted by the United States Delegation to the 14th Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development

Obstacle/constraint

Energy is a critical input to meeting a country’s economic, social and political development objectives, but is often marginalized or not even considered in the planning.

Lessons learned

The integration of energy into national development strategies through multi-stakeholder participation results in increased income generation, improved health conditions and expanded educational opportunities.

Case Study

Global Village Energy Partnership -- Action Plans in Mexico and Brazil

USAID’s ongoing support for the development of national action plans under the Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) is beginning to pay dividends as several countries began to implement rural electrification programs based on these frameworks. In Brazil, the GVEP action plan was completed in March 2005 and has been integrated into the Government of Brazil’s Luz para Todos (LpT, or “Lights for All”) program. With the impetus provided by the GVEP National Action Plan, Lights for All has already brought energy services to 2.9 million Brazilians and created an estimated 115,000 jobs. USAID has worked closely with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) on LpT, providing technical assistance and implementing activities in support of the program, including holding multi-stakeholder workshops to provide a forum for all key players to communicate and come to a better consensus. In Mexico, USAID has provided training to Mexican State officials on project identification and development of productive uses of energy in rural areas, including indigenous groups, and developed institutional structures to implement Mexico’s $110 million rural electrification program.  These trained officials are working with GVEP members World Bank, and SENER, the state rural development agency, on preparatory docs on socioeconomic criteria for community selection for these projects. Point of contact on U.S. delegation: Patricia Flanaganpflanagan@usaid.gov, Gordon Weynand goweynand@usaid.gov.

Next steps

Continue to support multistakeholder involvement to incorporate energy into national development strategies as was done in Brazil, and assist the implementation of those strategies in other countries.

Obstacle/constraint

Insufficient public sector funds to address the energy access problem.

Lessons learned

Partnering with private sector entities can be an effective way to leverage public sector funds and address energy access issues.

Case Study

The Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy (AMORE)

In the Philippines, USAID has partnered with Mirant Foundation to support peace and development in Mindanao, using off-grid renewable energy systems in more than 260 remote rural communities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Using a combination of individual solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar-powered battery charging stations (BCS), micro-hydropower systems, and other options, more than 7,500 households have received energy systems. In addition, key social services have been enabled including over 40 schools electrified to enable video-based distance education, and over 30 communities were provided with solar-power public phones based on satellite or wireless connectivity. More than 260 barangay (community) associations have been established to manage the systems, each with operations and maintenance funds were established. Over 150 additional communities will be served through the AMORE Program, including at least 20 via micro-hydro systems. This second phase of the program includes an emphasis on micro-hydro sector strengthening and increased use of renewable energy for key social services including distance education, water supply, and others. Point of contact on U.S. delegation: Patricia Flanaganpflanagan@usaid.gov, Gordon Weynand, goweynand@usaid.gov

Next steps

This project is currently entering the second phase, replicating the success of the initial project. Future opportunities for public-private partnerships to improve energy access are being explored to replicate the Mindanao experience in other countries.

Obstacle/constraint

Despite being household energy managers, users, suppliers, and budding energy-consuming microentrepreneurs, women are often not permitted a voice or brought into decision-making in many countries.

Lessons learned

Incorporating gender-specific energy needs and issues into the provision of energy services to communities is critical to improved health, increased incomes, enhanced educational opportunities, and more equitable and sustainable development outcomes.

Case Study

Biomass Energy Production by Women in Rwanda

98% of the Rwandan people use charcoal and/or wood fuel for cooking. Women in the community of SAM Muhima have received USAID support to produce high quality biomass briquettes from household garbage, for use as cooking fuel and organic fertilizer. This has helped to reduce deforestation in the area and return soil nutrients to degraded land. The project has created new employment opportunities for women in the community (many previously employed as sex workers), improved local health by disposing of household waste, and reduced the cost of waste management.

Point of contact on U.S. delegation: Patricia Flanaganpflanagan@usaid.gov, Gordon Weynand goweynand@usaid.gov.

Next steps

Continuing support for the integration of gender considerations into programs for providing energy services to communities by replicating the Rwanda program in other countries.