US agency for international development

Conference · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:552014

Pumfrey, R

The author addresses the following questions in his presentation: what is USAID; where does the money go and who makes the decisions; where does USAID fund energy programs, and especially renewable energy; who are their `partners`; what is the approach to renewable energy; what in summary, has USAID funded that is relevant to village power. USAID is the foreign aid agency of the US Government. Approximately 75 countries receive regular assistance. The fiscal year 97 budget for the agency is approximately $5.8 billion. About half of the total budget goes to Israel, Egypt, and the countries of the former Soviet Union. These budgeting decisions are geopolitical. Congress earmarks total budgets for a few sectors or subjects, such as family planning. The goal of USAID`s renewable energy programs is simple: They are interested in accelerating the market penetration of commercial technologies. They do not engage in technology R&D. Developing countries have energy needs now, and commercial technologies are available now. USAID has taken note of the interest taken by subsidiaries of US utilities in the past couple of years in bringing their expertise and resources to bear on meeting the challenge of rural energy needs in developing countries. They believe that the entry into the market of these players could be one of the most important catalysts for making the rural energy revolution happen.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
• OSTI ID: 552014
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP--440-23409; CONF-9704141--; ON: DE97008397
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMIC POLICY
ELECTRIC POWER
FINANCING
FOREIGN POLICY
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
US FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
USA