Renewable energy technology

PES covers the period 1/82-4/83 and is based on site visits, document review, and interviews with project personnel and potential beneficiaries. Although the nationwide program envisioned in the Project Paper (PP) seems overly optimistic, prospects are good. All recommendations of the 1/82 evaluation have been acted upon and many external problems have been overcome. Key counterparts from the Ministry of Rural Development"s Appropriate Technology Section (ATS) are being trained on-the-job, and the Chief of Party is taking care to ensure the ATS Chief"s assumption of project responsibilities, although funds are needed for overseas training. The village energy technicians concept has not fully caught on, but there is a potential for training individuals who affect large multiplier audiences or who train small artisans. A second RET workshop has been completed at Khubetsoana near Maseru, and a new procurement system is being implemented to reduce the excessive time spent on procurement due to the failure to hire a procurement officer. To date, three RET"s seem suitable for widespread dissemination - metal stoves, the retained heat cooker, and especially the stone paola. Two RET"s noted in the PP - biogas and microhydro - are currently unfeasible. Limited success with energy saving devices should keep future work in this area minimal. Other problems include weak project direction (leading to contractor/counterpart personnel problems, unclear job responsibilities, and inadequate management at Khubetsoana) and PP failures to provide adequately for energy needs assessment and RET dissemination. Also, steps are needed to ensure the success of the low-cost, energy-efficient public housing component. Major recommendations of the 30-odd made are to: extend the project; expand its scope to allow development of RET"s that meet a wide range of priority development needs, especially regarding small farmer production (the PP goal - to meet the energy needs of the poor - has unduly restricted research); and strengthen project staff in order to improve management and institutionalize a RET capability within ATS.