Growing pertinence of bioenergy in formal/informal global energy schemes: Necessity for optimising awareness strategies and increased investments in renewable energy technologies

摘要

Biomass, most of which is presently in the form of lignocellulose, is an important source of energy in many developing countries, particularly those in sub-Sahara Africa. The intensity of sourcing and use of these renewable natural resources in these countries are increasing owing to multifarious reasons. Series of reported studies and experiences have shown that this trend is not likely to reverse in the nearest future in these countries and that there is also very likely to be an upward global surge in this regard perhaps because of the expected positive responses to the increasing campaign for gradual energy switch to biofuels partly in order to contribute to the series of efforts at controlling the presently experienced global climate change as a result of fossil fuel combustion on one hand and finiteness of this non-renewable resource (fossil fuel) on the other. In line with these concerns, some developed countries are already increasing biofuels in their energy supplies, main source of which are expected to likely be from less developed tropical countries in future with series of projections concerning this. Therefore, there is the need for sustainable means of producing biomass for this purpose in these developing countries coupled with strategies that will capture future possibilities of supplying this resource to other parts of the world when the demand arise. However, literature showed that irrespective of the increasing importance of biofuels, the present awareness levels concerning this and investment in renewable energy technologies are still low, noting that most of the efforts in these regard appear to be more in the developed countries. Increased awareness and investments in bioenergy is therefore also imperative in developing countries bearing in mind this region's importance in its future sourcing and supply. The concept behind this article is to highlight the growing global importance and usage of biomass energy and their influence on both formal and informal global energy schemes, hoping this will be valuable to the various stakeholders that influence growth and development in this sector, particularly in the developing countries.