Publications

Solar Lighting for the Base of the Pyramid- Overview of an Emerging Market -

This report presents an overview of current and projected market trends for off-grid lighting. It was commissioned and coordinated by Lighting Africa,a joint initiative from IFC and the World Bank.

The report provides a snapshot of the off-grid lighting market and provides industry-level data and analysis on key trends. It relies on the inputs of abroad range of industry experts, manufacturers, distributors, scientists, market researchers, and NGO leaders worldwide who contributed their views,time, and advice to the preparation of this document. This included interviews with over 70 solar market players in 10 African markets, and a range of lighting product manufacturers worldwide.  The report will be updated every two years.

Energy Poverty – How to make energy access universal? (Special early excerpt of the World Energy Outlook 2010 for UN General Assembly on the Millenium Development Goals)

The report presents the results of joint work of the International EnergyAgency (IEA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United NationsIndustrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The report estimates the number of people who need to gain access to modern energy services and the scale of the investments required, both in the period to 2015 and over the longer term, in order to achieve the proposed goal of universal access to modern energy services by 2030 (AGECC,2010).  It also also discusses the implications of universal access to modern energy services for the global energy market and the environment and health. This report includes an Energy Development Index and a discussion of the path to improving access to modern energy services,as well as financing mechanisms and the implications for government policy in developing countries.

50 Ways to End Kerosene Lighting

This guide aims to show many different technologies that can be used to eliminate kerosenelighting from households in developing countries. 1.6 billion people in approximately 300million households still use kerosene lighting, spending around $10-30 billion/year, or anaverage of about $1/week.  There are many technologies available to replace kerosene lighting and some simplemeasures can be taken to determine if they might be acceptable in the local context.

This guide does not seek to give a definitive answer, but just an indication of how an assessmentcan be made, and what are the options available. The publication was prepared by Barefoot Power and Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership in May 2009.

Assessing the Role of Microfinance in Fostering Adaptation to Climate Change

This paper by Shardul Agrawala and Maëlis Carraro offers the first empirical assessment of the linkages between microfinance supported activities and adaptation to climate change. Specifically, the lending portfolios of the 22 leading microfinance institutions in two climate vulnerable countries – Bangladesh and Nepal – are analysed to assess the synergies and potential conflicts between microfinance and adaptation. The two countries had also been previously examined as part of an earlier OECD report on the links between macro-level Official Development Assistance and adaptation. This analysis provides a complementary “bottom-up” perspective on financing for adaptation.

The paper is an output from the OECD project on Economic Aspects of Adaptation and has been overseen by the Working Party on Global and Structural Policies (WPGSP).

A Guide on Gender Mainstreaming in the AfricaBiogas Partnership Programme (ABPP)

The guide is based on experience on biogas worldwide, and more recently, on the experience anddocumentation that ENERGIA has produced, as part of its Gender in Energy Projects initiative, beingsupported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). It also incorporatesinputs and suggestions from representatives from the six ABPP countries in Africa, and representativesfrom the Indonesian and the Rwandan biogas programmes, who attended the workshop on GenderMainstreaming in the Africa Biogas Partnership Programme, held in Nairobi on 18-19 May 20102.

The guide has been developed by Soma Dutta, May Sengendo andIndira Shakya, with contributions from Sheila Oparaocha and Anja Panjwani.

Bright, Clean, Affordable: Modern Lighting for Microfinance Clients around the Globe

This guide has been provided by Barefoot Power specifically for microfinance institutions (MFIs) to highlightthe significant market opportunities for energy loan products, with a focus on lighting. The guide is also intended to those who are  involved in village energy to increase their understanding on micro-finance.  The preparation of this guide becomes possible through the funding assistance of the  Australian government, through the Renewable Energy and Energy EfficiencyPartnership (REEEP) South East Asia and Pacific Regional Secretariat.  The Australian government through REEEP also supports Barefoot Power’s activities in the Pacific.

POWERING THE POOR – Projects to increase access to clean energy for all

The stories in this publication—told throughvillagers and those helping them on the ground—portray resourceful ways ofgiving poor and remote communities access to clean and renewable energy.The case studies look at different types of energy projects—solar, micro hydroand biogas—as well as innovative approaches in implementing and financing projects.

This publication was prepared by ADB’s Energy for All Initiative.  The initiative which was was launched in February 2008  has an overall objective of replicating and scaling up accessto energy projects targeting poor and remote communities where energypoverty remains endemic.

Household Energy Access for Cooking and Heating: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward

This study provides the review of two World Bank experts on the  19 household projects supported by the Bank.  The study provides eight lessons, namely: (1)  holistic approach to household fuels is needed: the fuel-wood supply has to be sustainable; improved stoves and alternative fuels are needed; and institutions must be able to create and implement regulatory incentives that work; (2)  Public awareness campaigns are needed: households need to be informed of the risks they face by using inefficient stoves; (3) Local communities must be involved early on: this includes governments, NGOs and the private sector; (4)  Consumer fuel subsidies don’t help poor people. Wealthier households benefit the most from subsidies, which cause fiscal deficits; (5) Both market-based and public support are needed to commercialize cookstoves. A cookstove market is the best long-term solution, but public support is needed at the early stage; (6)  Cookstove users’ needs must come first: users who get what they want from cookstoves will adopt them; (7) Durability of cookstoves is important: durable stoves made of good quality materials will get used; and (8)   Microfinance helps cookstove programs succeed.

Towards an ‘Energy Plus’ Approach for the Poor:  A review of good practices and lessons learned from Asia and the Pacific

This report documents good practices and lessons learned in addressing energy poverty and expanding energy services for the poor.  It draws form the experiences of 17 energy access programmes and projects in the Asia-Pacific region.  The 17 reviewed energy access programmes and projects have brought improvements to the quality of lives of communities in terms of energy cost savings, health, education, communication, access to information and women’s empowerment, thus contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.  In addition, initiatives that  promote low emission technologies to contribute to the global climate change agenda.  This report highlights that breaking through energy poverty cycle is best achieved by combining the delivery of energy services with measures that generate cash income.