Renewable Energy Development

The Ministry of Energy (MOE) will implement the project, which will include four basic components -- the establishment of an energy information system, applied research and demonstration, institution building, and monitoring and evaluation of the foregoing activities. With the assistance of the State University of New York (SUNY) StonyBrook Institute for Energy Research, the MOE will implement a computerized (AL-EDIS) energy assessment system. In addition, U.S. advisors will assist in the creation of an energy data bank and library in the MOE. The MOE will establish six fuelwood/agroforestry centers which will distribute seed, engage in species research, and provide demonstration/extension services. Sweden"s Beijer Institute will provide technical assistance. U.S. consultants will assist the Ministry of Agriculture"s (MOA) field personnel to promote tree planting in conjunction with crop production. Other project activities will include informal surveys of charcoal production techniques, local nursery and tree-planting activities, and cookstove use (mud, clay, and metal cookstoves and wood and pottery jikos). An informal survey of operations and maintenance of renewable energy technologies (windmills, hydrams, water wheel, solar pumps) in water supply and irrigation systems will also be carried out. Advisors will work with the Ministry of Water Development and the MOA to identify and promote the use of renewable energy at specific water project sites. An energy development fund will be established to provide financing for projects relating to afforestation, agroforestry, wood/charcoal cookstoves, and renewable energy. Personnel training and assistance in the development of teaching materials and curricula will be provided to local educational institutions and to appropriate government and nongovernmental organizations in the above-mentioned fields. In addition, 15 MOE staff members will receive short-term training at StoneyBrook, the University of Florida, and the University of Nairobi.