Assessment of biomass energy use pattern and biogas technology domestication programme in Ethiopia

Abstract

Biogas is an energy-efficient and environmentally beneficial technology used as an alternative to biomass energy sources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the traditional biomass energy system in Ethiopia and the National Biogas Program of Ethiopia (NBPE) as an alternative energy system. The study involved key informants, government legislation documents and strategy papers, bio-digester operating households and extensive literature reviews. The article provides a review of relevant literature in terms of both biogas technology and policy documents and related strategies in the Ethiopian context that support the NBPE. The literature review touches on both the technology itself and the policy aspects from within the country, sub-Saharan Africa and Asian countries. Furthermore, the article provides effective use and assessment of the findings for theory and policy of traditional biomass energy systems and biogas technology programmes. We argue that biogas technology is crucial as alternative sources of energy in Ethiopia, specifically for rural areas as it negates the disproportionate use of available traditional energy sources of firewood, cow dung, agricultural residues and charcoal.