Medical clinics normally operate without electricity in many rural areas of Sub Sahara Africa.

However, with Solar PV systems or small scale power supply from e.g. bio fuelled electric generators referigation of vaccines and enabling women to give birth at night without risk to hersalf and the newborn are of key concern.

Rural Transformation

 
 

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Woodfuel usage in Uganda. Brickmaking is often a very energy consuming business.

 

Forestry waste can be utilized for power generation in many rural settings. This sawmill in Swaziland could easily generate up to 2 MW on its on woodwaste

 

A seminar held in Makerere University about Energy for Rural Transformation.

 

 


Rural Transformation

Interventions in the energy sector have a dramatic part to play in enabling sustainable rural development in other areas. Combined with investments in other basic infrastructure, in social sectors, and in specific, proactive policies, these interventions can be an engine of opportunity for rural populations in several ways.

 

Economic and business development central for take off


Rural electrification, the liberalization of markets for modern fuels, and the dissemination of up-to-date knowledge and equipment, give access to a safe, reliable source of modern energy, which can dramatically raise productivity and income in the areas concerned. Given a reliable supply of energy, small business and industries can prosper, thereby reshaping the rural communities by providing power and light to run workshops or small industries and creating local jobs.

I addition to the business possibilities provided by the emergence of reliable energy, the small power companies themselves will also open a field of possibilities for local entrepreneurs, tapping the local resources in an environmentally sound way.

 

Combating exclusion and Fighting Poverty


Access to modern energy will transform the lives of the millions of rural African women and children who are presently condemned to a daily grind of fuel-wood collection: backbreaking work that leaves no opportunity for productive activity or personal development. The use of modern energy lessens the need for these chores, freeing more time to be spent on productive work and education. Public lighting, television and radio, and basic economic prospects that rely on efficient lighting, heating, and motive power can, in turn, defeat the marginalization of rural communities in the face of urban centers.

 

A cleaner environment for sustainability


Indoor pollution from badly vented stoves burning traditional fuel-wood or charcoal is one of the major causes of premature morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Reliance on the bio-mass fuel that makes up 80% of primary energy supply in many African countries is also causing extensive deforestation and degradation of fertile land.

By providing the means of using other energy sources, such as solar PV-electricity, mini-hydro power, wind power, the possibility for lessening the biological impact of traditional fuels can be realized.

 

StonePower AB is striving to contribute to this cause by providing for a better and more efficient energy and telecommunications infrastructure. The opening up of the rural African society to more efficient telecommunications, electricity and water supply will give better access to medical expertise and information on health and family planning. Birth control and contraceptives information in addition to healthier living can be a way of curbing the AIDS epidemic that is coursing through the African continent.

The international community can do much to support developing countries and regions in financing programs to ensure prevention and improved equity in access to care, including the production and dissemination of information worldwide.