FAO supporting Rwanda achieve biomass targets
Access to reliable and affordable energy is fundamental in achieving economic development, and poverty reduction. It is also a vital input that underpins food security by enabling the various processes that are used to produce, process and transport food from the field to the consumer. However, depending on the type of energy used, it may significantly contribute to climate change. Therefore identifying sustainable energy alternatives that allow meeting the development targets without exacerbating climate change is essential. The agriculture sector has a key role to play in this as it both a user of energy and a producer of energy. More specifically, bioenergy, which is energy sourced from biomass, can be part of a renewable energy mix for Rwanda. The main challenge is to clearly define which options can be viable in the Rwandan context.
Rwanda develop a low carbon economy
Rwanda’s access to energy is still very limited and one of the lowest in the region. The majority of the energy used is supplied by biomass sources, whilst the rest comes from fossils fuels, which are imported, and hydropower. In this context, Rwanda has committed to develop a low carbon economy with the aim to achieve energy security and a low carbon energy supply that supports the development of a Green Industry and Services and avoids deforestation. The challenge is finding the actual pathways that will allow the country to achieve this and understanding what role agriculture and forestry can play to support this in a sustainable manner.
FAO’s contribution
FAO, in the context of its Energy Smart Food programme, has been supporting countries over recent years to enhance energy access options, integrate the energy and agriculture sectors and develop sustainable bioenergy solutions. More specifically, through the Bioenergy and Food Security Approach, FAO supports countries in the context of the bioenergy policy formulation work to establish what sustainable bioenergy options might exist in the country. Rigorous country level assessments underpin the bioenergy formulation process.
Under the guidance of Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), a number of key stakeholders convened on 4 October 2017 to discuss the current status of bioenergy development in Rwanda, the new biomass targets set within the National Transformation Strategy published in September 2017 and next steps to support the development process.
The Ministries of Infrastructure and Energy, Agriculture, Forestry and Environment presented an overview of the relevant sectors’ context and the ambition for climate change mitigation. What emerged during the discussions is that there are a number of constraints in terms of biomass availability for energy generation in Rwanda. Nevertheless, what is also clear is that the status quo is not an option. Current bioenergy use patterns are unsustainable and the forecasted impacts on forest resources are dramatic.
Alternatives need to be found fast that can diversify energy access patterns, also considering that energy access in Rwanda is extremely low and that the country has committed to ensure universal energy access by 2030. A small but vibrant private sector exists in relation to biomass and bioenergy projects, more support and clarity in this area could support further private sector growth. The workshop was instrumental in showing which gaps still exist in terms of comprehension of the potential to develop sustainable bioenergy.
FAO will support MININFRA and the key stakeholders through the Bioenergy and Food Security Approach (BEFS) to assess if sustainable bioenergy options exist in Rwanda and which ones these might be. The work will be coordinated through the biomass technical working group, the stakeholder platform active in the country on biomass.