Some facts:

• Electrification rate: 50%
• Main energy project: up-scaling access to electricity, motive power and jatropha oil in rural areas through decentralized energy systems. Implementation in 120 villages from six districts. Project supported by EU and HIVOS.
• Main project target: Rural energy entrepreneurs, in particular women, technicians and artisans, operators, government agricultural extension staff; Jatropha farmers, Village energy committees/teams. Project gives special focus to women.
• Project goal is to reach: 55,000 rural households, owners of 500 micro-enterprises, 22 village technicians and artisans, 300 operators of MPESCs and 150 rural social service centres, e.g. schools, health centres.
• Proposed energy solutions comprise Multi-Purpose Energy Service Centres, (include Multifunctional Platforms (MFPs) also known as Energy Service Platforms and Productive Use Containers (PUCs) or Modern Energy and Enterprise Centres.
• MFPs are connected to minigrid and supply electricity to max. 150 customers.
• Each PUC will house 4 to 8 businesses such as telecommunication bureau, secretarial services, video shows and library, electronic workshop, tailor shop, general merchandise retail shop, food shop, car battery charging, lantern renting, and library.
• 85 villages identified, 15 council officials trained, some farmers have started growing jatropha.
• ENERGIA project aims to mainstream gender in TaTEDO MFP/PUC programme implementation process for equal access to energy technologies and services to women and men.
• Engender the market approach. Women and men receive entrepreneurial and technical skills, finance so they can both participate in the project.