A Summary of Discussion at the Renewable Energy Forum, Canberra, 18 October 2000 Hosted by the Australian Agency for International Development

(AusAID)

INTRODUCTION

Energy is central to economic development — there is a clear correlation between energy consumption and living standards. More than half of the world's population living in rural areas still has no access to modern forms of energy1. In recognition of the need to find sustainable solutions to this lack of access to energy in developing countries, AusAID's Environment Consultative Committee2 called the forum to discuss the following issues:

•        the future for renewable energy in developing countries;

•        constraints to mainstream adoption of renewable energy technologies in developing countries; and

•        the role of Australia's overseas aid program in promoting renewable energy.

The audience included representatives from AusAID, the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), Environment Australia (EA), non-government organisations (NGOs) and private industry.

Chairing the morning session was Professor John Morrison of the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Wollongong. Mr Richard Beresford, Business Development Director of Woodside Energy Ltd and Dr Frank Reid, Managing Director of the Australian Co-operative Research Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE) talked on technological and business perspectives on the future of renewable energy. Associate Professor Graham Redding of the Department of Energy and Environmental Management at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) then spoke about economic and institutional barriers to renewable energy in developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.

The afternoon session, chaired by environment consultant Dr Ron Black, included responses to the morning session by three panellists: Ms Donella Bryce of Appropriate Technology for Community and Environment (APACE); Mr Phil Harrington of AGO; and Dr Peter McCawley, Deputy Director General of AusAID. A general discussion followed and the meeting was then closed by comments and summation from Dr Black.

WHY RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES?

Renewable energy can be particularly appropriate for developing countries. In rural areas, particularly in remote locations, transmission and distribution of energy generated from fossil fuels can be difficult and expensive. Producing renewable energy locally can offer a viable alternative.
Interest in renewable energies has increased recently due to environmental concerns about global warming and air quality, a decline in the cost of the technologies for renewable energy and improved efficiency and reliability.

 renewable energy in developing countries.pdf