National Energy Policy 2003.

The National Energy Policy 2003 (NEP 2003) vision is ensuring that the development goals of the country are met through the sustainable supply and use of energy for the benefit of all the citizens of the country. The key objectives of the Policy are: (1) Ensuring access to energy for all; (2) Enhancing employment creation; (3) Ensuring security of energy supply; (4) Stimulating economic growth and development; and (5) Ensuring environmental and health sustainability.
The Policy is structured according to the demand sectors, supply sectors, rural electrification, cross cutting issues and implementation. The chapter on demand highlights the issues and policy direction in the context of the five main demand sectors: agriculture, industry and mining, commerce and services, transport and households (urban and rural). The supply of energy mainly relates to the use of coal, petroleum products, electricity, and renewable energy. Policies for rural electrification are addressed in a separate chapter as this is one of the key challenges facing Government as most of the population is living in rural areas. Cross cutting issues include environment, gender, accessibility for low income groups safety.
The document promotes increased agricultural production in an environmentally sustainable manner. The agricultural sector production system is defined as one of the key demand sectors for energy production; agriculture plays a critical role in the economy as a food provider and a major contributor to exports. The document continues identifying the main challenges in improving agricultural energy use (1. stimulating the use of more efficient machinery and processes; 2. Optimising energy supply and end use options so as to best benefit small scale, rural farmers) and committing to promote measures to improve efficiency of energy use in agriculture, such as the provision of information and use of low-energy equipment.
The document also addresses the rural poverty issue; access to adequate energy supplies is defined as key element of Government’s rural development strategy and essential component towards the social and economic upliftment of all citizens of the country. The government also incorporates gender-sensitive design initiatives to reduce rural poverty by committing to ensure that women are motivated to participate in energy programmes and activities and promoting greater enrolment of women in energy related disciplines.