Guiding Principles for a PURE Approach

An approach to market development for RETs built around productive uses of renewable energy can overcome the constraints that many of rural energy programmes have experienced in the past. The distinguishing features of the PURE approach are:

• A central emphasis on the utilization of energy (delivered by RETs) in productive activities capable of generating employment, income and assets;

• Putting energy programmes in the context of rural development. Combining support to small enterprises (enterprises at the household and community levels, and medium scale rural industries capable of generating employment) with provision of energy services.

• Embedding social uses of renewable energy into the broader framework of PURE; the topmost priorities would be applications for health, education and communication, which have a close bearing on the capacity and capability of the labour force to engage in productive activities.

• RETs financing strategies that pay special attention to the financing needs of rural end-users through microfinancing arrangements and local micro- and medium sized enterprise support - in addition to the financing needs of rural energy project developers and service providers.

• Appropriate sizing of RETs to ensure supply levels beyond those sufficient only to meet minimum energy needs for household use;

Promoting a diversity of RETs with capabilities to deliver both fuels and electricity.