A new report published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stresses the potential of the energy sector in boosting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The report „Capacity development for scaling up decentralized energy access programmes“ draws lessons from two decentralised energy projects in Nepal that brought modern energy services to almost a million people in remote rural communities. The report points out that the key to success was upfront public investment in capacity development.

The development impactsof Nepal’s energy programme includeimproved lighting in homes, schoolsand hospitals, reduced health risks fromindoor air pollution, reduced drudgeryfor women and girls, diversifi ed livelihoodsand increased incomes amongthe poorest segments of Nepalese society.The report can be downloaded www.undp.org/energy

(UNDP)