Rural electrification with the use of renewable energies or hybrid systems improves individual quality of life, facilitates community services such as health and education (consumption use) and enables business entities to carry out professional activities (productive use) for rural populations. All of these benefits are possible without creating unintended negative consequences for local ecosystems and the global climate.

Energy is: “…the golden thread that connects economic growth, social equity and an environment that allows the world to thrive.” (UN, 2012) as eloquently described by UN Secretary General, Ban-Ki-moon. Rural electrification is thus key for the socio-economic development of non-urban regions in developing and emerging countries.

Consumption uses of renewable energy for rural populations

Energy Services

Benefits

     Renewable Energies used

Basic Lighting
  • Increased education possibilities as pupils and students are able to study during night time
  • Clinics and hospitals can operate at night
  • Fewer unhealthy kerosene lamps, meaning improved health conditions
  • Increased basic comfort

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

Powering & recharging of communication devices (e.g.  phones and computers)
  • Improved connectivity and communication
  • Distance learning for education.
  • Less isolation
  • Facilitates mobile banking

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

Radio repeaters, receivers, remote weather measuring, transmission systems
  • Disaster risk mitigation
  • Increased geological and other knowledge

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

Refrigeration
  • Storing of food, vaccines, medicine allowing for improved health conditions

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

Street Lights, remote alarm systems, electric fences, road signs, etc.
  • Increased security

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

TV, Radio, Internet, Cinema
  • Access to information strengthens local education
  • Entertainment
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Communication

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

Water Pumps
  • Clean drinking water, minimising risk of diseases such as dysentery and diarrhea and improving health conditions

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

X-rays, ultrasound, scanners
  • Improved health conditions

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

Productive uses of renewable energy for rural populations

Energy Services

Income Generating Value

Renewable Energies used

Battery charging

Wide range of services for end-users (phone charging business)

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

Drying, Smoking (Preserving with process heat)

Create value-added product, preserve product to enable selling in higher-value markets

Bioenergy, solar heat,

Expelling

Produce refined oil from seeds

Bioenergy, solar heat

Grinding, milling, husking

Create value-added product from raw agricultural commodity

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

Illumination

Reading, extending operating hours

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

Irrigation         

Better yields, higher value crops, greater reliability, growing during periods when the market prices are higher

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

Refrigeration

Selling cooled products, increasing the durability of the products

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV

Transport

Reaching markets

Bioenergy (biodiesel)

TV, radio, computer, internet, telephone

Businesses, education, access to market news, coordination with suppliers and distributors.

Bioenergy, small hydro, small wind, solar PV