Is microgeneration the future? Could it meet the UK’s energy needs in the future?

Case Study: Energy Issues in Mali Energy poor country - LEDC.

Background… Mali is in West Africa – huge (5 times the size of- UK) landlocked country. GDP per capita UK - $36,570 Mali - $1,038 In Sahel region – threatened by drought and desertification. The northern 65% of the country is desert or semi-desert. Most people depend of the environment, for farming, fishing or herding for their livelihoods. The population of 12 million is growing at 3% per year.

Energy in Mali The country has no fossil fuels – all fossil fuels must be imported through neighbouring coastal countries, increasing costs considerably. E.g., generating costs for grid electricity are twice as high as the Ivory Coast. Imported petroleum accounts for 8% of the country’s trade balance – major financial cost for a poor country.

In rural areas 80% of energy needs are supplied by firewood and charcoal. This uses over 50 million tons of national forest reserves every year. Kerosene lamps. Torches and rechargeable car batteries are used for lighting, TV and radio. Woodcutting is a rural industry and provides the only source of employment for many people. In 1994 there were 600 000 tonnes of wood cut for use in the capital Bamako. By 2006 this had increased to almost 900 000 tonnes. The government predicts that demand for wood will be greater than supply by 2010.

Describe the contrasts and trends. Electricity Access Less than 12% of the population has access to formal electricity – huge contrast between rural and urban areas. Most people connected to the mains live in the capital city and main towns. In rural areas less than 1% of the population has access to mains electricity. What impact would this have on their quality of life? Describe the contrasts and trends.

Impact on the way of life… The electrification of rural health centres can bring significant improvements in life expectancy and infant mortality. The electrification of schools not only improves children’s education buy also allows evening educational opportunities for the adult population. The lack of electricity severely hinders the development of income-generating activities.

Renewable Possibilities… In 1990 the government formulated a new National Domestic Energy Strategy. The stress on renewable energy gained important international financial backing. Mali has an average 5-6 hr sunshine a day – there are fee countries with a better solar resource. The Mali Folke Partner (MFC), a Christian Aid partner, has installed solar panels on the roofs of 30 schools to provide lighting. Local people are then trained to maintain them. MFC also helped to develop plantations of jatropha (resistant to drought and pests, and produces seeds containing up to 40% oil. When the seeds are crushed and processed, the resulting oil can be used in diesel engine and the residue can be processed into biomass to power electricity plants.[

The African Rural Energy Enterprise Development (AREED) is a UN programme designed to develop new sustainable energy enterprises that use clean, efficient and renewable energy technologies. The aim is to meet the needs of underserved populations while cutting environmental and health consequences of existing energy use, particularly low-quality biomass fuels such as dung and wood. AREED provides early stage funding and advice to entrepreneurs. In 2004 a law was passed to protect certain forest species against excessive cutting. The government has also suspended the export of wood obtained by living trees since 2004. The government are also encouraging women to make greater use of energy-efficient stoves. Which use 4-5 times less wood than traditional stoves.

2. Complete the exam questions – to be handed in first lesson back! Homework – 1. Complete the case study sheet for Mali, and energy poor country. 2. Complete the exam questions – to be handed in first lesson back!