Increasing access to energy services in rural areas - REEEP ...

MODULE 10: INCREASING ACCESS TO ENERGY SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS
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GLOSSARY/DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS
Rural electrification
Extending the electricity service to rural areas, usually not connected
to the national distribution grid. This can be achieved
through three main methods: extension of the national grid, isolated
mini-grids or individual household systems
Energy services
The provision of energy supply and measures concerned with
end-use in a single package.
Energy services company
(ESCO)
Companies concerned with maximizing efficient and costeffective
supply and end-use of energy for their customers.
Renewable energy
The use of energy from a source that does not result in the depletion
of the earth’s resources whether this is from a central or
local source.
Supplier
A company that buys electricity from a generator, or via a third
party, to supply to an electricity consumer. Suppliers are known
as retailers in some countries.
Supply
The sale of electricity to final users.
Sustainable development
“That which meets all the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”
U.N. Brundtland Commission.
Sustainable energy
The provision of energy such that the criteria for sustainable
development are fulfilled. Sustainable energy has two components:
renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Financial intermediation
Involves putting in place all the elements of a financial package
to build and operate decentralized rural energy supply companies
(RESCOs). The process is sometimes referred to as “financial
engineering”. Financial intermediation can also be used to
cover whole schemes rather than just investment in an individual
plant.
Technical intermediation
Involves both improving the technical options by undertaking
research and development activities and importing the technology
and know-how “down” through the development of capacities
to supply the necessary goods and services.