Rwanda’s energy consumption in mostly dominated by biomass (firewood) which accounts for over 86% of its needs. This has led the government to rethink its energy policies and look for alternatives, but the costs involved are the biggest hurdle. Among the options being mulled is alternative energy such as solar, peat, wind power, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), thermal energy as well as the current exploitation of the methane gas in Lake Kivu. But those options will hardly address the immediate energy needs of the majority of the population who rely on firewood and charcoal for their domestic use. Even the middle class, who in normal circumstances would have shifted to using cleaner sources of energy such as LPG for cooking, find it extremely challenging because the cost is well beyond their means. There was a time when energy efficient cooking stoves were being aggressively promoted, but that campaign seems to have run out of steam. But even then, it would not have put an end or drastically reduced the dependence of fossil fuels, but whatever the case, it would have made a difference. As the country charts its long-term energy strategy, the government should think about shorter-term remedies such as subsidizing cooking gas so as to make it accessible to many. It could begin by giving favourable tax terms for importers. Many consumers do not care about nor fully understand climate change issues or environmental protection, what they want is food on their table and affordable means to cook it.
