Agro-industries and clean energy in Africa (AGRICEN)

Lead Research Organisation: University College London
Department Name: Science, Tech, Eng and Public Policy

Abstract

Agro industries constitute a major source of rural employment and are significant contributors to the economy of many sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, and constitute a major source of income for millions of small scale farming outgrowers. Agro industries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), such as tea, coffee and sugar estates, already utilise energy for their processing and, on occasions, supply energy to their employees within their estates. Rural communities within and in the vicinity of agro-industrial estates derive several direct and indirect benefits from such cleaner energy investments.

There are a number of reasons why such efforts should be scaled up. First, the concerned agro-industries secure more reliable and lower cost electricity and heat supplies thus lowering their production, increasing their national, regional and international competitiveness and , in turn, protecting and potentially expanding the valuable rural jobs base that agro-industries provide. Secondly, cleaner energy investments provide power to community services and local businesses that benefit local communities. Thirdly, with the right incentives, agro-industries could expand their estate-based mini-grids to not only connect rural households within their estates but also connect surrounding rural communities. Fourthly, agro industries account for a significant proportion of current and projected future greenhouse gas emissions, and thus increased use of energy options provides opportunities to address climate and energy access challenges through carbon credits. However, the potential for cleaner energy development in the region's agro industries remains largely untapped.

There is emerging evidence that African agro-industries, are well placed to overcome common problems that bedevil new small and medium scale minigrid enterprises such as limited access to investment finance (due to absence of a business track record), difficulty in mobilizing and maintaining the required skilled operational/maintenance staff, as well as an inability to generate the revenues required to meet short-term and medium-term costs of electricity supply. However, further evidence needs to be assembled in order to demonstrate the potential value that agro-industries can bring as providers of cleaner energy services in rural areas in sub-Sahran Africa, and why improving the political economy lanscape can help realize this potential.

This proposal brings together a multidisciplinary team to research this relatively new terrain of combining new approaches to political economy analysis with business development, innovation and participatory approaches to understanding the potential role that agro industries can play in widening rural access to cleaner energy options. The project partnership consists of two academic institutions (Surrey in UK and Lilongwe Uni. of Ag & Nat. Res. in Malawi), a leading African energy think-tank (AFREPREN/FWD), two leading independent research centres from UK (Policy Practice, and Gamos), and various research associates from East Africa.

The project is structured around 8 integrated workpackages:
(i) Knowledge review;
(ii) Mapping and convening of multi-stakeholder policy and practice actors;
(iii) Preliminary framework analysis;
(iv) Case studies;
(v) Pilot and feasibility initiatives in four countries: Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and potentially Malawi;
(vi) Analysis and modelling;
(vii) Capacity building of partners and specialised skills for wider agro industry community on cleaner energy;
(viii) Networking and dissemination.

Five reports will be published which will form the basis for papers to conferences of academic & energy practitioners; academic journal articles; and a series of policy briefings for local and national policymakers.There will also be a final workshop aimed at providing key messages from the research for various stakeholder.

Planned Impact

Improvements in the deployment of decentralized energy generation and distribution could make a significant contribution to the livelihoods of communities in sub-Saharan Africa's as well as to the evolution of the region's energy system, and carbon reduction efforts. Agro-industries can play a major role in this area. However, effective energy policies and institutions to mobilize these resources effectively are in short supply. This project will have an impact, provided its learnings are effectively transferred to key stakeholders. We will do this directly, with tailored briefings, building on the strong networks the project team has with relevant policy makers and practitioners as follows:

Policy makers and regulators
Central Government institutions lack local knowledge to deliver effective rural energy programmes, but can craft policies that can give rise to effective business models, and encourage wider participation in energy service delivery. The research will provide policy makers and regulators an empirically grounded analysis of effective approaches to delivering and financing low carbon energy systems within the context of their policy, financial and institutional frameworks. The project team will open dialogue with policy makers and regulators as part of the effort to explore where policy and regulatory adjustments will be needed to encourage the participation of enterprises such as agro industries with finance, technical capability and business experience to diversify their investments into the energy sector. The team will provide policy briefings in writing and verbally to these important players.

Non-state actors:
Non-state actors will have access to all research findings, but we recognize high impact will require a proactive approach with concrete recommendations. We propose to do this by speaking at conferences of key NGO networks, as well as through the dissemination networks of established projects.

Locally-based energy companies
These are critical in the effort to scale-up decentralized energy initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa. The project's findings will provide institutional map to entrepreneurs who may require an understanding about the range of actors, institutions and financial resources available to support their commercial interests.

Donors and partners
Donors will play a major role in emerging schemes such as the UN's Sustainable Energy for All initiative. There is new drive from the donor community to address energy access issues in developing countries, but also focusing on projects that can be sustained beyond periods of funding. Agro industries as platforms for clean energy access for poverty reduction represents one important mechanism that shows promise, and this project will ensure that donors that are active in energy issues are well informed about the project's progress.

We also recognize that high quality academic outputs can have a secondary impact through the network of engaged researchers interested in sustainability practice, in which the project team already plays an active role. Five reports will be published which will form the basis for at least four (4) papers to conferences of academic and energy practitioners; four (4) academic journal articles; and five (5) briefings for local and national policymakers - on the potential opportunities for agro-industries to diversify their business practices into energy service provision for surrounding, policy & institutional constraints agro-industries may encounter as energy enterprises, GHG mitigation potential of the range of energy options for agro-industries, review & analysis of financial models for agro-industries, capacity mapping and development to realize the technical potenial of agro-industries.

The project will maintain close links with those who can learn from the research through its annual and final workshops aimed at providing key messages from the research for primary stakeholders.
 
Title Research findings: Barriers of agroindustries as energy service providers 
Description A video to communicate results from the project, also translated in Amharic (Ethiopia) 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2019 
Impact The video was widely viewed. It also served to stimulate discussion and debate at the project final workshop where high level policy makers (including minister) spent a full day deliberating on the barriers and opportunities of agroindustries as energy platforms for widening access to surrounding communities. . 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls1yXvjcY3o&feature=youtu.be
 
Title Research findings: Opportunities of agroindustries as energy service providers 
Description A video to communicate results from the project, also translated in Amharic (Ethiopia) 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2019 
Impact The video was widely viewed on youtube and facebook. It also served to stimulate discussion and debate at the project final workshop where high level policy makers (including minister) spent a full day deliberating on the barriers and opportunities of agroindustries as energy platforms for widening access to surrounding communities. . 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hONYOU68AB8&feature=youtu.be
 
Title Sector specific animations and videos 
Description Sector specific animations and videos, designed to communicate the findings from each of the feasibility studies 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2019 
Impact Too early to measure the impact 
 
Description The research has a number of key findings: 1. The agro-industrial sector has potential to contribute to deployment of cost effective renewable energy, especially if it can be linked to multiple co-benefits namely energy access (electricity, grid parity), employment generation, health impacts and gender equity. 2. The global experience of producing energy from agricultural waste is one of high profitability. However, in Africa investment in this area is limited and not well documented and the potential remains underdeveloped. This has a number of reasons that explain why progress has been slow: (i) historically conversion technologies have had a poor reputation or not well understood ; (ii) national policies priority across Africa is to invest in centralised large-scale projects and less so in decentralised and smaller projects; (iii) the seasonality of agricultural production poses a challenge to ensuring a sustainable supply of feedstock; (iv) limited coordination between different ministries and policies means opportunities to promote this potential remain unrealised. 3. Despite these limitations, there are emerging positive trends in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and within the sugar, tea and horticulture sectors. Also there are promising opportunities for local SME based on agro-processing waste that create local jobs and retain value added within local communities. 4. In recent years, restructuring of the energy sector and financial schemes such as feed-in tariffs have incentivised agro industries to invest in this area. The research has also found that while agro-industries are motivated by cost-saving opportunities, the need to secure reliable supplies and opportunities in resource efficiency are seen as important new revenue streams and profitability. 5. Agro industries are increasingly becoming interested in adding social value through social entrepreneurship, fair trade, certification and CSR; as part of strengthening local conditions, which in turn, provide stability and resilience to their business. 6. Extending electricity power to employees or surrounding communities is a viable option for agro-industries that currently generate power. However, at the moment, exporting power to the grid appears to be more profitable - where this is an option. However, where policies about mini-gird and off-grid are clear and conducive (for example, Tanzania), the potential for agro-industries to sellThe research has a number of key findings: 1. The agro-industrial sector has potential to contribute to deployment of cost effective renewable energy, especially if it can be linked to multiple co-benefits namely energy access (electricity, grid parity), employment generation, health impacts and gender equity. 2. The global experience of producing energy from agricultural waste is one of high profitability. However, in Africa investment in this area is limited and not well documented and the potential remains underdeveloped. This has a number of reasons that explain why progress has been slow: (i) historically conversion technologies have had a poor reputation or not well understood ; (ii) national policies priority across Africa is to invest in centralised large-scale projects and less so in decentralised and smaller projects; (iii) the seasonality of agricultural production poses a challenge to ensuring a sustainable supply of feedstock; (iv) limited coordination between different ministries and policies means opportunities to promote this potential remain unrealised. 3. Despite these limitations, there are emerging positive trends in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and within the sugar, tea and horticulture sectors. Also there are promising opportunities for local SME based on agro-processing waste that create local jobs and retain value added within local communities. 4. In recent years, restructuring of the energy sector and financial schemes such as feed-in tariffs have incentivised agro industries to invest in this area. The research has also found that while agro-industries are motivated by cost-saving opportunities, the need to secure reliable supplies and opportunities in resource efficiency are seen as important new revenue streams and profitability. 5. Agro industries are increasingly becoming interested in adding social value through social entrepreneurship, fair trade, certification and CSR; as part of strengthening local conditions, which in turn, provide stability and resilience to their business. 6. Extending electricity power to employees or surrounding communities is a viable option for agro-industries that currently generate power. However, at the moment, exporting power to the grid appears to be more profitable - where this is an option. However, where policies about mini-gird and off-grid are clear and conducive (for example, Tanzania), the potential for agro-industries to sell power to surrounding communities is relatively high. 7. Joint ventures between agro-industries and energy service providing companies are particularly promising model. Such partnerships allow the two sectors to pull their resources and expertise together for a more sustainable project development, and rely on their comparative strengths. 8. Context matters. Different agro-industrial sectors face different opportunities and challenges. Incentives and regulations could work better if tailored to meet sectoral needs and capabilities.
Exploitation Route Some of the feasibility studies could be developed further and turned into bankable projects; and the policy briefs will offer some insights into country specific and sect-specific opportunities.
Sectors Agriculture

Food and Drink

Education

Energy

Environment

 
Description Through our engagements and non-academic, various organisations are eager to explore collaborations with us. Two notable ones are listed here: i) Tambuzi farm has 22 hectares for horticultural production, with the rest dedicated to sustainable forestry, bee keeping, vegetables and livestock. It has about 19 hectares under floriculture production. Tambuzi was eager to work with AGRICEN to undertake the Cogen and Energy Efficiency feasibility study for supplying energy to surrounding communities. This work has now been completed, and the report is produced. ii) AGRICEN started work with the Finlays tea and powergen in conducting a focused study of the activities, to produce a case study of the provision of access to electricity by Finlays as an agro-industry. Building on the above initial case study, this research could provide a deeper understanding of the benefits brought to those connected, their aspirations, behaviours and awareness. This work is now completed, and Powergen-RE has acknowledged the contribution of the AGRICEN project in understanding household behaviour surrounding energy use and payments; iii) AGRICEN has undertaken about 10 feasibility studies in Uganda, Malawi, Kenya and Ethiopia across a range of agroindustry types. iv) AGRICEN held a successful stakeholder dialogue workshop in Ethiopia in February 2019 to communicate the research findings. The event was attended by 65 people, representing policy, research and practitioner communities from the East African countries. Participants from donor and international organisations such as the World Bank and the UN Economic Commission for Africa attended. A range of reactions and recommendations were assembled that will be incorporated into the final reports and journal papers that are under preparation.
First Year Of Impact 2017
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
Impact Types Economic

Policy & public services

 
Description Founding member of the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI). The AREI is now established at the African Development Bank
Geographic Reach Africa 
Policy Influence Type Membership of a guideline committee
URL http://www.arei.org
 
Description Input to Ethiopia's new Energy Policy
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Membership of Ministerial advisory group _ Ethiopia
Geographic Reach Africa 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Participation in Ministry Advisory Group meeting, 27 November, 2017
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact The Advisory group met to discuss some outstanding issues, including the study on tariff adjustments and off-grid financing opportunities in Ethiopia
 
Description Award of the project entitled "eCook - a transformational household solar battery-electric cooker for household solar battery-electric cooker for poverty alleviation
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Organisation Innovate UK 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2016 
End 05/2017
 
Description Climate & Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Research Fund
Amount £380,000 (GBP)
Organisation Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2015 
End 10/2016
 
Description Department for International Development (DfID)
Amount £300,000 (GBP)
Organisation Government of the UK 
Department Department for International Development (DfID)
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2019 
End 03/2022
 
Description Oxford Policy and Management Ltd (OPML) from its Energy and Economic Growth programme
Amount £250,000 (GBP)
Organisation Oxford Policy and Management Ltd (OPML) from its Energy and Economic Growth programme 
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2019 
End 02/2021
 
Title Energy needs and aspirations survey 
Description Survey tools for energy needs and aspirations have been developed. These are intended to understand current energy needs and expected needs into the future. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2017 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The project team are now working with partners in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Ethiopia, implementing the survey in about 8 sites. 
 
Title Guide for political economy analysis data collection 
Description A guide for collecting information and data for carrying out political economy analysis of the different policy and institutional reforms needed to promote sustainable energy from agro-industries in the study countries. The framework has four different stages: i) Problem identification; ii) Diagnosis which includes systemic factors, actors, power relations and decision-logics; dynamism, complexity and uncertainty; iii) Prognosis (or 'theories of change') that ask questions about likely sources and pathways for change and likelihood of change; and iv) interventions involving entry-points for action and recommendations. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact We are still using the method in our research. 
 
Title Standardization of Energy Surveys 
Description Energy surveys working in developing countries are using different approaches and accounting systems, which makes it difficult to undertake comparative analyses. The ARICEN team sees long term benefits of harmonizing energy surveys in Africa (and Asia and LA) including the idea that if coding is comparable we can gradually grow a meta database that would be useful to researchers. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact This work is only being completed, and will be piloted through the various field studies under this research. 
 
Title Techno-economic data collection framework and analysis method 
Description Techno-economic data collection framework was designed to provide a standard template for use by the country teams. The outputs expected from an analysis of this data are: i) an economic, social and environmental assessment of the different technical options for policy-makers; ii) a financial analysis of the different technical options to help agro-industry facilities make investment decisions. This would feed into the pilot studies and feasibility studies, consisting of financing models, renewable energy resource and cost assessments, development of baseline scenarios for growth, and assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) profile of different technical options; and develop bankable projects. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact We are still using it in our own research. We have not reached the stage where we share the method widely. 
 
Title Lifecycle costing tool for renewable energy systems 
Description Simple lifecycle costing tool was designed to help carryout the financial flow of the various feasibilities in the project 
Type Of Material Computer model/algorithm 
Year Produced 2018 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The model was used by the internal team. We are now refining it and to make it available for others outside of the project. 
 
Description Ethiopian Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity - Advisory group meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact A ministerial advisory group inaugural meeting where energy access challenges were discussed; and plans on how to provide support were explored
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Expert intervention on the Future of distributed renewable energy generation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Invited as a panelist in the Thematic Dialogue on the on distributed renewable energy generation (DREG) as part of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) of the UNFCCC in Bonn, Germany. the The overall objective of the thematic dialogue was to support the TEC in identifying and generating policy perspectives, mechanisms and measures to enhance the development and transfer of technologies for distributed RE generation and integration.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description KfW Development Bank, Nepal; Dept. of Anthropology, Durham University; and local instituions in Nepal. The partners contributed in data gathering, analysis and building local partnerships 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact Short research looking into building resilience in community-based energy. The project takes the premise that distributed energy, such as renewables, can reduce risks and be used in humanitarian responses to disasters. However, there are few studies on the experiences of communities using small-scale renewable energy after major disasters. This project examines the responses of communities after the 2015 earthquakes in Nepal and how energy services could be restored more quickly. This research is 'applied in focus' and provide valuable input into the Nepalese government's reconstruction plans. The research is also 'global in reach' as the results will be of interest to governments of other countries, humanitarian organisations and development agencies.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Ministerial Roundtable discussion on off-grid energy finance in Ethiopia at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), London. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Presentation on 'Renewable energy market intelligence in Ethiopia', Roundtable discussion on finance for energy investment in Ethiopia at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), London. This was intended to have a dialogue between the Ethiopian Minister of Water, Irrigation and Electricity and UK business community.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description National Electrification Workshop and Launch of the National Electrification Program on November 27 & 28, 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Workshop to launch Ethiopia's National Electrification Program (NEP) on Nov 27-28, organised by the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity (MoWIE). The NEP as well as the World Bank's initial commitment of $375 million was formally launched by the Prime Minister. The workshop offered the opportunity to have a holistic discussion on issues related to electrification in sub-Saharan Africa where several regional high level delegations were present. The PI of this project was formally invited by the Minister to present the work around agroindustries as providers of energy services in rural areas. Further bilateral discussion took place with the World Bank.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.ena.gov.et/en/index.php/economy/item/3999-ethiopia-launches-electrification-program-to-re...
 
Description Panelist on podcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Panelist on Grand Challenges: Energy. Nature Podcast, Published 3rd July, 2017. To combat global warming, the world needs to change where it gets its energy from. Three energy experts discuss the challenges of transitioning to low carbon energy, and what advances are needed to make the journey possible. This is the final episode in the Grand Challenges podcast series.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.acast.com/nature/grandchallenges-energy
 
Description Policy Perspectives on Clean Energy and the Sugar Industry in Malawi 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact This paper was presented at the International Conference on Energy, Environment and Climate Change in Mauritius. The presentation attracted about 40 participants and generated questions around the food, energy and water nexus questions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Power People podcast series exploring a range of issues related to the energy transformation Africa needs. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Power People is a new podcast series exploring a range of issues related to the energy transformation Africa needs.
Discussion with Max Bankole Jarrett, Africa Progress Panel's Director-in-charge and former presenter of the BBC's award winning Network Africa programme, as he explores the opportunities and potential of energy in Africa through interviews with a dynamic cross section of experts from around the globe including:

- Caroline Kende-Robb, Former Executive Director of the Africa Progress Panel
- Yacob Mulugetta, Professor of Energy and Development Policy at UCL
- Jasandra Nyker, CEO of BioTherm Energy
- Mamadou Kwidjim Toure, Chairman and CEO of Ubuntu Capital Group
- Yariv Cohen, Chairman of Kaenaat, Investor Ignite Power
- Jasmine Samantar and Dina Tagemouati, co-founders of Samawat Energy
- And many more
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://soundcloud.com/africaprogresspanel/power-people-yacob-mulugetta
 
Description Stakeholder workshop on the potential of agro-industries as energy service providers in Malawi - with high-level policy and private sector players 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact This forum provided the opportunity to engage policy and research actors in Malawi in the spirit of co-production of knowledge, which enabled us to design the workplan for 2015/16.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Stakeholders workshop in May 2016 in Uganda and study visits 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Discussion with stakeholder to understand the state of play with agroindustries and their position in the energy system. The discussion covered issues related to policies, regulation and technology options for Uganda
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Training programme in political economy approaches (PEA) for policy and private sector actors 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Delivery of a one-week training programme in political economy approaches (PEA). For this training, 15 researchers from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Mauritius attended. The UK-based members of the AGRICEN team also attended. The training had a dual purpose: i) to bring the partners and associate partners of the AGRICEN project together, reflect on the project, and jointly develop a plan for the country case studies; ii) provide hands-on training in PEA given the country researchers wil
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description WORKSHOP: SUGARCANE LANDSCAPES - understanding opportunities and trade-offs of the EU Sugar reform on markets, uses and opportunities for Developing Countries. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact The workshop discussed the EU sugar policy reform, sugar taxes on 'sugary foods', impacts on the availability and cost of sugar and the opportunities and limitations these might present for developing countries. Where previously concerns about the use of sugarcane for food or biofuel have been an issue, the market price of sugar may now encourage indigenous industries for biofuels/biorefineries (e.g. India and Mexico had previously restricted the use of sugar for bioethanol production but are now pursuing biofuel programmes). Using the biofuels model developed by Brazil, sugar cane production can switch between sugar and ethanol depending on market prices and the workshop will consider local initiatives (policies) of countries for developing local biorefineries and bioenergy markets.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Workshop on Research Priority Setting for Energy and Capacity Development Strategy in Ethiopia. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The goal of the workshop was to map out key research gaps and outline the capacity development priorities in Ethiopia's energy sector. The workshop was intended to help identify and build consensus around critical research challenges in various aspects of the energy (electricity) system. The workshop identified about 25 projects to support. From these 7 projects were funded by the Energy for Economic Growth programme at the Oxford Policy Management Ltd. The resources for this were obtained from the Department for International Development (DfID).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Workshop: Investments in Energy Sustainable Technologies in the Agrifood Sector (INVESTA) to be held on 23-24 November 2017, at FAO Headquarters in Rome. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Concluding workshop of the FAO INVESTA project which presented the results of the cost- benefit analysis of selected energy technologies in the rice, milk and vegetable value chains. It provided the opportunity to discuss barriers and concrete means to foster investments in such technologies. The technologies assessed included milk cooling systems at different steps of the value chain, anaerobic digestion for power, solar- powered water pumps, solar cold storage of vegetables, rice husk gasification and solar-powered rice processing. Country case studies were carried out in Kenya, Tanzania, Tunisia and the Philippines.
The event gathered stakeholders from the public, private and financial sector, as well as experts on rural development, finance and commerce and will result in general recommendations for policy-makers and investors on how to improve the enabling environment for investments. It also gave an opportunity to propose and discuss concrete means of collaboration among participants.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.fao.org/energy/agrifood-chains/energy-sustainable-technologies/en/