Rural Energy Program

Winrock International in partnership with PA Consulting and Georgian NGO's EEC, ABCO and CENN started the implementation of GEORGIA RURAL ENERGY PROGRAM funded by USAID.

The USAID Rural Energy Program aims to:

(a) increase supply of energy in rural areas (both grid connected and off-grid); 

(b) improve management of local energy production;

(c) improve in-country capacity in rural energy and alternative energy applications;

(d) improve capacity to utilize and protect the local energy resource base. 

Building the capacity of villages to manage hydro and other energy generation facilities that are financially viable and environmentally sustainable will be an important element of the program, as well as the protection and management of the natural resource base from which villages derive the majority of their energy. For all program elements, the Rural Energy Program will assess the need for, and provide assistance to secure financing for enterprises with commercial potential. The program will also provide assistance to local businesses that are potential buyers of electricity, and that have employment generation potential, through energy efficiency analysis and by coordinating referrals to sources of business advisory services.

EEC will contribute to Winrock's efforts to gather performance and monitoring information on both technical achievements and the positive socio-economic changes the program brings about in the communities of rural Georgia.

Main tasks of EEC are:

• Provide the training to the Rural Energy Program staff, including the community mobilizers and grants managers, on the basics of the following RE/EE technologies:

  • Biogas,

  • Solar thermal,

  • Solar PV,

  • Weatherization of buildings,

  • Energy efficient lighting, appliances and information and communication technologies,

  • Improved biomass stoves for cooking,

  • Improved biomass stoves for heating. 

• Identify potential RE/EE projects and develop pre-feasibility studies.

• Create awareness regarding RE/EE options in selected communities.

• Develop business plans for EE projects and provide input to business plans for RE projects. 

Current status

2006 EEC has conducted the training to the Rural Energy Program staff, including the community mobilizers and grants managers, on the basics of the following RE/EE technologies:

• Biogas,

• Solar thermal,

• Solar PV,

• Weatherization of buildings,

• Energy efficient lighting, appliances and information and communication technologies,

• Improved biomass stoves for cooking,

• Improved biomass stoves for heating. 

The same trainings has been conducted to the following communities:

• Sartichala Community;

• Okami community;

• Kabaly community;

• Nafareuli community;

• Pshaveli community.

During summer months EEC has identified potential RE/EE projects in the listed community and prepared about 40 pre-feasibility studies.