1. Prof. Anoja Wickramasinghe University of Peradeniya
Enterprise Opportunities for Farm Biomass Production and Decentralized Electricity Generation from Biomass Feedstock in Sri Lanka: Do Poor Women & Men Benefit Equally
Prof. Anoja Wickramasinghe University of Peradeniya
SRI LANKA

2. Outline of the Presentation
Brief overview of the project;
The features of the Gender-Energy Nexus;
Conditions influencing the benefits;
Lessons learned and challenges;
1. Analytical work;
2. Policy and Institutions;
3. Lessons for project planning;
4. Challenges for project planning.
Contribution of this work.

3. The Overview Two pilot projects in two geographical locations;
Cases on modern biomass energy technology – converting solid biomass to electricity;
Focus on solving issues of electricity supply for 35% of the population not benefited from gird electricity;
Typology of cases:
1. Electricity for national grid - Private sector partnership;
2. Off-grid supply for village electrification- NGO & CBO;
Two approaches;
Private sector promoted commercial approach;
Community-based energy enterprise approach;
Projects designed without gender goals.

4. Features in Gender-Energy Nexus
PRE-PROJECT
Management of farm biomass by women for domestic use;
Unpaid women labour
Free gathering for subsistence use by women;
Harvesting by men;
Biomass use for domestic cooking by women.
PROJECT SITUATION
Men & women in production/supply;
Payment for men’s labour;
Paid transportation handle by men;
Farm level processing – Women & men;
Organizing production & supply – W&M.

5. Biomass Supply Systems
FOREST
RESERVES
HEDGES
PADDY
HEDGES
Household
DENDRO-PLANT
LIVE
FENCES
HOMEGARDENS
Prior to Dendro-energy project; With Dendro-energy project

6. Conditions Influencing Gender Benefits
Grid electricity project
Ideology on energy & enterprise;
Land ownership;
Mass-scale supply by intermediaries;
Private investments;
Policy/institutions/org.
Purpose – selling power to national grid;
Com.-based power
Ideology on women in farm biomass production;
Division of labour in farm production system;
Rotational supply;
CBO membership;
Policy/community system - decisions;
Electricity for household lighting;

7. Do Poor Men & Women Benefit Equally? (% records)
Economic
Returns for farm biomass
Cash for family
Equal opportunities for all Hhs.
Energy services
Village enterprise
Added income through cash crop
Means covering energy cost
100 82 60 56 20
Contd/…

8. Social
High mobility & reduced risks
Labour efficiency
Reciprocity
Children education
Leisure & education
Managerial skills
Environmental
Improved Hh. Interior environment
Conservation benefit – water
Soil enrichment
Enhance vegetation cover
100 21 78 80 72 90 63 56 60

9. Lessons Learned and challenges

10. Direction for Improvement Gender cross- cutting variable
Analytical work using gender as a key variable
Direction for Improvement
Gender cross- cutting variable
Problems & Opportunities
BIOMASS
ENERGY
SYSTEM
National Situation
Local Involvement
Dendro-Policy Objectives
Changes in Local Situation
Project Intervention
Base-Line Situation/Context

11. Lessons Challenges Contextualized the projects;
Analytical Work
Lessons
Challenges
Contextualized the projects;
Created opportunity for Gender inquiry;
Enabled to assess gender impacts of pilot interventions;
Helped examining the contribution to realize MDGs;
Created an entry point for gender oriented energy planning, implementing, monitoring & follow-up improvements.
Generation of concern over gender issues and implications;
Development of mechanisms, guidelines & policies for integrated energy planning;
Development of gender disaggregated baseline data base;
Enhancement of understanding on contribution of renewable energy for empowering women.

12. Policy and Institutions – Grid Electricity Supply
Lessons
Challenges
Paradigm shift in energy sector through private sector (dendro-energy association & CTC);
Commitment of private investment in biomass energy;
National policy facilitating decentralized RE;
Energy subsidy for stimulation;
Energy for regional development.
Assuring of energy for local feedstock producers;
Long-term state subsidy commitment;
Mechanisms for assuring equal benefits to the locals;
Creating confidence in women on contribution to local development;
Gender sensitization & planning.

13. Policy and Institutions – Off-Grid Electricity Supply
Lessons
Challenges
Promising opportunity for deriving income for farm biomass;
Access to modern clean energy at affordable rate;
Social capital for energy enterprise – Dendro Power Electricity Consumer Society;
Local empowerment & equality;
High replicability & scaling up effects;
Women as key stakeholders.
Avoid personal interest of members;
Promote income generating activities demanding clean energy;
Control political interference & make commitments;
Integration of gender impact assessment indicators;
Generation of financial capital.

14. Lessons Learned - Project Planning
Projects designed for providing electricity do not reflect gender concerns/goals;
Community-based energy projects motivate local people men & women to involve;
Private sector projects are concerned over large-scale energy generation, so community is not involved in planning;
Both projects provide enterprise opportunities for biomass producers;
Where equal opportunities are available for women they directly contribute to realize MDGs;

15. Challenges – Project Planning
Gender integrated energy project planning;
Micro- finance for women to invest in energy development is essential to ensure multiple roles of energy;
Restructuring the planning process using gender disaggregated data;
Holistic approach to energy projects, programs and policies;
Changing ideology on energy, women, energy needs and contribution to Sustainable development;
Promotion of institutional mechanisms for involving women in energy decisions.

16. Contribution of this Work
Case study on dendro-energy interventions;
Awareness of gender & needs for integrating multiple elements for effectiveness;
Application of gender disaggregated data base for energy projects;
Training provided on gender integrated energy planning;
Gender as a framework for policy planning & entry point for promoting gender integrated modern energy development.

17. Lets Grow
Our Own Energy
Thank You
Re-Greening Sri Lanka