Rural energy and development : improving   energy supplies for 2 billion people - a World Bank best   practice paper

Hong W. Tan; Batra, Geeta

Rural energy and development : improving energy supplies for 2 billion people - a World Bank best practice paper

Hong W. Tan | Batra, Geeta

The purpose of this paper is to take stock of developing countries' efforts and of the support the development community has provided in the rural energy sector, to identify ways the World Bank Group can help its member countries address energy problems. The report looks at: a) the rural energy situation; b) emerging practices and policies; c) options for rural electrification; d) innovations in renewable energy; e) cooking fuels; and f) the role of the World Bank Group. The report describes the growing attractions of renewable technologies such as solar power. It argues that policy-makers, governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector should concentrate on improving the use of traditional fuels, such as wood, and not just on promoting modern energy such as electricity. It stresses the importance of designing policies and projects with local people rather than imposing schemes from above. The report concludes that through a combination of better technology and decades of experience, we are now able to tackle the problems of rural energy better than ever before.

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