Rural Energy

One of the most critical problems facing many developing countries is that of the alarming rate of depletion of traditional sources of energy, largely fuelwood and charcoal, which together command the largest share of energy used in rural areas. This has resulted in soil erosion, degradation of the land, reduced agricultural productivity and potentially serious ecological change. The social and economic impacts have been detrimental to the countries' populations, particularly for those living in the rural areas. Urgent action is therefore required to correct the fast deteriorating situation through evolution of fitting policies, establishment or strengthening of appropriate institutions and provision of adequate funding. But resolving the situation will be difficult and challenging for the problems are many, some of them complex. New sources of energy such as solar, wind, biomass, hydro and geothermal have a potential role to play in helping meet current and future energy requirements in the rural areas; but their widespread use and acceptance would be enhanced through increased research, development and demonstration, more funding, improved education and training and better flow of information on the advances in these fields.