Biomass production and utilisation: Policy implications for LDCs

Biomass continues to be by far the dominant source of primary energy supply in the least developing countries (LDCs) of the world, and this trend will continue as pressures from population growth, urbanisation and industrialisation coupled with transport needs keep increasing. The situation in Africa that housed the highest number of LDCs, and to which this paper is largely restricted to is worse because of the local environmental problems that are associated with high biomass use. The declining ability for most countries to switch to other fuels only worsen the problem. Hence, providing adequate, reliable, efficient and environmentally sound energy services to its rapidly growing population will remain a major policy challenge for the continent. This paper briefly illustrates the importance of biomass in the energy sector of LDCs and in Africa in particular so as to provide the background to the policy importance on the production and use of this energy source. The main areas for policy attention discussed are: biomass for power generation, biomass use in the transport sector, urban energy supply and the interactions with agricultural policies. The roles of the major institutions, the government, private sector institutions, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations were identified. The paper concludes that with the necessary policy shift that is being advocated, biomass can contribute to a more equitable supply of high quality and efficient energy services in the future of African countries.