• The positive impacts of access to energy often may become manifest
many years after the project ends. Thus, reliable M&E for energy must
often extend in time even beyond the project life cycle.
• The positive effects of energy often require many other inputs. For
instance energy can contribute to revenue-generating activities. But for
these activities to be created, appropriate raw materials, markets, skills,
transportation, etc. must also be available, or made available by other
development activities. Therefore, M&E in energy projects must propose a
scheme to attribute the improvements to the different factors that were
present, in order to identify the specific impact of energy. 58
The Monitoring and Evaluation in Energy for Development (M&EED) guide
proposes an approach based on an input-output-outcome-impact analysis
approach. Each stage is considered in sequence; indicators and data collection
methods are developed alongside potential challenges and peculiarities of each
observable.
A wide range of indicators and methodologies are applicable to energy projects.
The indicators used are particular to the type of energy service provided,
technology used and objectives of the project.
Table 9: Examples of indicators applicable to ICS and micro-hydro projects
Improved cook stoves (ICS) 59
Micro hydro power for
electrification58
Fuel consumption (type of fuel, amount Number of clients connected or volume
of fuel, money spent on fuel, etc.)
of sales
Cooking practices (type of food,
frequency of cooking, etc.)
Continuity of service and voltage
stability
Women’s workload (time spent
collecting firewood, time spent cooking,
other work areas, etc.)
Productive activity (new or improved
activities) and direct employment
Number of producers / distributors of
stoves
Tariff collection rate of users
It is important to focus on gender in M&E since in many developing countries
women are particularly affected by lack of accessible and affordable energy
services due to their traditional roles, household responsibilities, and low social and
political status.60 Gender considerations should be included in the project design
and planning process, and specifically recognized in M&E activities.
Data collected should be disaggregated by gender to determine whether there are
differing impacts on men and women. Specific indicators can be gender focused to
recognize separate needs and concerns of men and women. They may be
quantitative (e.g. number of girls attending school) or qualitative (e.g. attitudes
towards cooking tasks). Identification of appropriate gender-sensitive indicators for
particular energy projects will depend on an analysis of existing conditions within
the target area and an understanding of the differing roles of men and women
within that specific culture.60
Renewable Energy to Reduce Poverty in Africa
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