World Bank2014-02-252014-02-252009-06https://hdl.handle.net/10986/17144The Department for International Development (DFID)-Funded Energy Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Program was created to support SMEs by helping countries unblock the factors that prevent their potential in the delivery of energy services. With thirteen energy projects in twelve countries and one regional program in Africa, the implementation of the program started considerably slower than expected but has demonstrated potential to make an impact in a relatively neglected area of delivering energy services to the poor. Lack of access to sufficient and sustainable supplies of energy affects as much as 90 percent of the population of many developing countries. Some 2 billion people are without electricity; a similar number remain dependent on fuels such as animal dung, crop residues, wood, and charcoal to cook their daily meals. Widespread inefficient production and use of traditional energy sources, such as fuel-wood and agricultural residues, pose economic, environmental, and health threats. Uneven distribution and use of modern energy sources, such as electricity, petroleum products, and liquefied or compressed natural gas, pose important issues of economics, equity, and quality of life. The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) Energy SME program focused on off-grid electrification and biomass use as many communities and households that have yet to be electrified are relatively isolated, and off-grid electrification may be the only economically rational choice. Pilot initiatives were launched in 12 countries to address specific economic, institutional, and technical characteristics of small medium size enterprises. Baseline assessments revealed that many of these enterprises will not be economically viable, unless they receive an initial direct or indirect capital cost support in the form of subsidies or grants. Even with such subsidies, the underlying economics of the enterprises remain fragile. The pilot programs focused on the following activities: 1) assessing the legal, institutional, and financial framework under which SMEs can function in the energy sector; 2) supporting training, pilots, and tests of technology or financial schemes; 3) assisting SMEs develop their investment plans, and 4) studies and analyses needed to promote SMEs in general as well as in the context of ongoing World Bank Group investment programs. One of the biggest challenges for SMEs is the need for further support to acquire investment loans from commercial financiers.en-USCC BY 3.0 IGOaccess to electricityaccess to energyaccess to financeaccess to financingaccess to informationaccreditationAction Planaction plansAdvertisementsadvisory servicesagricultural residuesAlternative EnergyAlternative Energy Programalternative fundinganimal dungApproachartisanartisansauctionsavailabilitybalanceBank CustomerBank loanbest practicebiomassBiomass Gasificationbiomass powerbiomass power plantsbiomass technologiesBorrowerbusiness developmentbusiness development servicesbusiness incubationbusiness incubatorsbusiness managementbusiness modelbusiness modelsbusiness needsBusiness OpportunitiesBusiness Planbusiness plansbusiness servicesbusiness supportbusiness trainingbusinessescapabilityCapacity Buildingcapacity-buildingcapital costCarbon FinanceCarbon Marketcell phonechambers of commercecommercial bankingcommercial bankscommercial loansCook Stovescooperativescost of energycredit linedelivery servicesdemand for electricitydieseldiesel fueldistribution channelsdistribution systemdonor fundingElectricityelectricity distributionelectricity generationenabling environmentend usersenergy efficiencyenergy efficiency improvementsenergy sourcesEnergy StrategyEnergy Supplyentrepreneurial skillsentrepreneursequipmentequipment costsequity investorsequity participationsexpendituresFacilitationfinancial benefitsfinancial capacityfinancial institutionsfinancial intermediariesfinancial managementfinancial playersfinancial productsfinancial schemesfinancial supportfinancial viabilityfinancing needsfossilfossil fuelsfuelfuel oilfuel systemsfuel usefuelsgasification technologygendergender aspectsgender mainstreaminggeneration systemsgrid connectionsgrid electricitygrid electrificationgrid systemshelp deskhouseholdshydro powerhydropowerICTimplementationsinformation systemsinstallationinstallmentsInstitutional capacityInstitutional capacity buildinginstitutional frameworkinventoryinvestment planskeroseneLack of accesslegal frameworklendersload factorloan facilitymanagement servicesmanagement systemsmanufacturingmarket demandmarket informationmarket opportunitiesmarket potentialmarket researchmarket segmentmarketingMedium EnterpriseMedium Enterprisesmicro financemicro finance institutionsmicrofinancemicrofinance institutionsnatural gasnetworksnew marketonline businessoperating costsoutreachpetroleumpetroleum productspilot projectpilot projectspipelinepowerpower generationPower Purchase Agreementspower sectorprivate sectorprivate sector developmentprivate sector participationprivate sectorsprocurementproduct designproductivityprotocolpublic facilitiesradioradio stationsregulatory frameworkregulatory frameworksregulatory requirementsRenewable energyrenewable energy projectsrenewable energy systemsrepaymentresultresultsretail priceretail salesrisk managementrural accessrural electrificationRural Energysavingsseed moneyService Contractservice providerssitesSocial Responsibilitiessolar home systemSolar Home Systemssolar lanternsSolar Systemsstart-upstart-upssupervisionsupply chainsupply of energy servicesSustainable Energysustainable operationtargetsTechnical Assistancetechnical knowledgetechnology transfertelevisionTraining Centertraining courseTraining workshoptraining workshopstransactiontransaction costsUniversal Accessurban areasUserusersusesutilitiesValue chainvillagevillageswindwind turbine10.1596/17144