GUIDELINES TO INTRODUCE BIOMASS SYSTEMS IN DECENTRALISED ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMMES FOR MDG ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SUB SAHARAN AFRICAN CONTEXT. CASE STUDIES OF TWO REFERENCE COUNTRIES: GHANA AND MOZAMBIQUE

摘要

Access to sustainable energy is vital for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). In thecurrent context of reviewing the MDG fulfilment status, the situation in Sub-Saharan Africa is poignant: 2 out of 3families, mainly in rural areas, live without electricity or access to modern energy services. At the same time,decentralised small-scale renewable energy based solutions have proofed to be the only viable option for users withlow or very low energy demands, living in remote or isolated areas. Electricity generation form biomass has beengaining interest and institutional support worldwide, and particularly in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). In order tosupport decision makers in electrification planning in SSA, the GRECDH is developing a Guideline tool tocharacterize programmes and projects, and their main components. This tool follows an integrated approach, withmulti-criteria decision analysis, biomass systems feasibility characterisation, reference financial schemes andelectricity service models, valorisation of some social factors and quantification of social NPV. The guidelines arebeing applied to the specific case of MDG achievement and energy access in two Sub-Saharan reference countries -Ghana and Mozambique, within the on-going Europe Aid project “Energy for All 2030”.