Prof. Anoja Wickramasinghe University of Peradeniya Enterprise Opportunities for Farm Biomass Production and Decentralized Electricity Generation from Biomass Feedstock in Sri Lanka: Do Poor Women & Men Benefit Equally Prof. Anoja Wickramasinghe University of Peradeniya SRI LANKA

Outline of the Presentation Brief overview of the project; The features of the Gender-Energy Nexus; Conditions influencing the benefits; Lessons learned and challenges; 1. Analytical work; 2. Policy and Institutions; 3. Lessons for project planning; 4. Challenges for project planning. Contribution of this work.

The Overview Two pilot projects in two geographical locations; Cases on modern biomass energy technology – converting solid biomass to electricity; Focus on solving issues of electricity supply for 35% of the population not benefited from gird electricity; Typology of cases: 1. Electricity for national grid - Private sector partnership; 2. Off-grid supply for village electrification- NGO & CBO; Two approaches; Private sector promoted commercial approach; Community-based energy enterprise approach; Projects designed without gender goals.

Features in Gender-Energy Nexus PRE-PROJECT Management of farm biomass by women for domestic use; Unpaid women labour Free gathering for subsistence use by women; Harvesting by men; Biomass use for domestic cooking by women. PROJECT SITUATION Men & women in production/supply; Payment for men’s labour; Paid transportation handle by men; Farm level processing – Women & men; Organizing production & supply – W&M.

Biomass Supply Systems FOREST RESERVES HEDGES PADDY HEDGES Household DENDRO-PLANT LIVE FENCES HOMEGARDENS Prior to Dendro-energy project; With Dendro-energy project

Conditions Influencing Gender Benefits Grid electricity project Ideology on energy & enterprise; Land ownership; Mass-scale supply by intermediaries; Private investments; Policy/institutions/org. Purpose – selling power to national grid; Com.-based power Ideology on women in farm biomass production; Division of labour in farm production system; Rotational supply; CBO membership; Policy/community system - decisions; Electricity for household lighting;

Do Poor Men & Women Benefit Equally? (% records) Economic Returns for farm biomass Cash for family Equal opportunities for all Hhs. Energy services Village enterprise Added income through cash crop Means covering energy cost 100 82 60 56 20 Contd/…

Social High mobility & reduced risks Labour efficiency Reciprocity Children education Leisure & education Managerial skills Environmental Improved Hh. Interior environment Conservation benefit – water Soil enrichment Enhance vegetation cover 100 21 78 80 72 90 63 56 60

Lessons Learned and challenges

Direction for Improvement Gender cross- cutting variable Analytical work using gender as a key variable Direction for Improvement Gender cross- cutting variable Problems & Opportunities BIOMASS ENERGY SYSTEM National Situation Local Involvement Dendro-Policy Objectives Changes in Local Situation Project Intervention Base-Line Situation/Context

Lessons Challenges Contextualized the projects; Analytical Work Lessons Challenges Contextualized the projects; Created opportunity for Gender inquiry; Enabled to assess gender impacts of pilot interventions; Helped examining the contribution to realize MDGs; Created an entry point for gender oriented energy planning, implementing, monitoring & follow-up improvements. Generation of concern over gender issues and implications; Development of mechanisms, guidelines & policies for integrated energy planning; Development of gender disaggregated baseline data base; Enhancement of understanding on contribution of renewable energy for empowering women.

Policy and Institutions – Grid Electricity Supply Lessons Challenges Paradigm shift in energy sector through private sector (dendro-energy association & CTC); Commitment of private investment in biomass energy; National policy facilitating decentralized RE; Energy subsidy for stimulation; Energy for regional development. Assuring of energy for local feedstock producers; Long-term state subsidy commitment; Mechanisms for assuring equal benefits to the locals; Creating confidence in women on contribution to local development; Gender sensitization & planning.

Policy and Institutions – Off-Grid Electricity Supply Lessons Challenges Promising opportunity for deriving income for farm biomass; Access to modern clean energy at affordable rate; Social capital for energy enterprise – Dendro Power Electricity Consumer Society; Local empowerment & equality; High replicability & scaling up effects; Women as key stakeholders. Avoid personal interest of members; Promote income generating activities demanding clean energy; Control political interference & make commitments; Integration of gender impact assessment indicators; Generation of financial capital.

Lessons Learned - Project Planning Projects designed for providing electricity do not reflect gender concerns/goals; Community-based energy projects motivate local people men & women to involve; Private sector projects are concerned over large-scale energy generation, so community is not involved in planning; Both projects provide enterprise opportunities for biomass producers; Where equal opportunities are available for women they directly contribute to realize MDGs;

Challenges – Project Planning Gender integrated energy project planning; Micro- finance for women to invest in energy development is essential to ensure multiple roles of energy; Restructuring the planning process using gender disaggregated data; Holistic approach to energy projects, programs and policies; Changing ideology on energy, women, energy needs and contribution to Sustainable development; Promotion of institutional mechanisms for involving women in energy decisions.

Contribution of this Work Case study on dendro-energy interventions; Awareness of gender & needs for integrating multiple elements for effectiveness; Application of gender disaggregated data base for energy projects; Training provided on gender integrated energy planning; Gender as a framework for policy planning & entry point for promoting gender integrated modern energy development.

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