**2.1 Rural area in Bolivia**

The household energy consumption in rural areas with no conventional energy supply is dominated by the demand for cooking (89% of total energy consumption). Lighting, communication (audiovisual, mobile, etc.) and other energy uses account for 11% of energy demand. Although not large amounts, lighting (5%) and entertainment (2%) are key demands to improve the quality of rural life and the integration of people through media. Productive uses of energy in these families represent a marginal percentage of total consumption; whenever they exist they are very specific, and must be analysed in particular way.

The structure of economic costs of energy source in rural scattered communities is different from population centers: batteries represent the largest amount of expenditure (34.3%), followed by the consumption of diesel (20%), LPG (18.8%), kerosene (15.3%) and candles (11.6%). In the highlands, average annual spending in U.S. dollars on traditional energy sources is the lowest in the country with a total of \$ 40 U.S. for the population in extreme poverty.

Experiences of Community Wind Electrification

of 76.9% and the average years of schooling of 4.4.

population.

**2.3 Basic services** 

television, etc.).

**2.4 Economy** 

of the municipalities is limited.

travel long distances to reach education and health services.

Projects in Bolivia: Evaluation and Improvements for Future Projects 89

The 2001 census data showed that the global literacy rate for the entire Turco municipality is 86.4% that is below the departmental average of 94.0%. The average years of study at the municipality are 5.7. Women still are disadvantaged in their access to education, as an example their illiteracy rate is 10.7%, while for men it has decreased to 4.2%. In the municipality of Challapata the situation is even more limited, with the overall literacy rate

The lack of permanent jobs and income security causes migration of the population of both municipalities to larger towns and cities from the department of Oruro, other departments of Bolivia, or even neighbouring cities of Chile. According to the Municipal Development Program (PDM) of 2007, 7.48% of the population of Turco has emigrated temporarily or permanently . This occurs more frequently among men (74.59%) from 10 to 50 years, children and youth because of higher level studies and for jobs to supplement the family income. In Challapata, according to the PDM 2002, the migration amounts to 29.21% of the

According to the laws of municipal management, basic services are under the responsibility of municipal government. However, the municipality of Turco has not assumed responsibility for developing municipal policies aimed to ensure the coverage of basic services to the population, while the municipality of Challapata, has developed this task with moderate success. It is clear that in both cases the resources are not sufficient to meet the needs of the communities and, moreover, the operational capacity of the technical teams

The attention of medical services is poor and does not cover the expectations of the population. Firstly, the equipment they have is limited, and secondly, the treatment provided by officials and health professionals to patients does not meet the desired quality. In short, it is estimated that by 2007 there was approximately 1 doctor for 1909 people in the municipality of Turco and 1 doctor to 2437 people in the municipality of Challapata. Most of the population lives in communities of few houses that lack basic services; people must

According to the PDM (2007), communities, farms and other remote areas have no electricity and rely on the use of kerosene or other methods of illumination at night. A study and evaluation of future energy demand estimated it (to meet the needs of households) as about 180 Wh / household / day. This study assumed a rational and efficient use of the energy and considered the power supply for each benefited the use of little appliances (radio,

Given the predominantly rural characteristic of both municipalities, economic activity is based on agriculture (99% of families according to the PDM 2007 in the case of Turco). Cattle ranching hs two main purposes: sale and household consumption (to a lesser extent). Both live animals and in meat as well as other products (portion of meat, fibber and leather for processing before being marketed) are used for sale. Own consumption is complemented by an interfamilial exchange. Marketing is carried out fortnightly and annual fairs especially in urban centres. Agricultural activity is highly subject to climate risks, and therefore the incomes of families are in constant insecurity, making families to diversify their economy by

Due to low income of people in remote rural areas, the ability to pay is weak. However the amount of money previously used for the purchase of other energy sources (candles, kerosene, batteries, gas, etc.) may now be used to cover the cost of the electricity service. It is estimated that nearly all population strata might pay a US\$ 2.5 monthly fee, considering that the payment will be for more convenient energy services than those previously used. It is noteworthy that the percentage of expenses for energy supply with respect to income is higher when the income level is lower.

Some people have expressed their desire to obtain higher rates of public or international cooperation funding for electrification systems; this is probably due to very welfare practices developed by institutions in the past plans in these rural areas. However, it is obvious the willingness of communities and families to finance their consumption in case of having electricity. Moreover, it is worth to consider that making periodic payments for the energy service is not a common practice; traditional energy sources were acquired on specific occasions when families had available economic resources.

### **2.2 Area and population**

The municipality of Turco is located in the western area of department of Oruro, in the province of Sajama, at an altitude of 3860 m. Turco has an area of around 3873 km2, its topography is flat and rugged, with a large flat surface combined with hills and low hills with slopes of 5 to 15% and mountain slopes up to 60%. Most towns and villages of Turco are located at altitudes ranging between 3738 and 4200 meters, the mountain range has peaks reaching 5300 m. In general, the weather is cold, with annual mean minimum temperature of - 1.6 º C and maximum of 19.8 º C. Turco is characterized by two very distinct seasons: a dry season from April to September and a rainy season between October and March.

On the other hand, the Municipality of Challapata belongs to the province of Avaroa, in the south-eastern department of Oruro. Challapata has an area of around 3014 km2. The municipality has a semi-rugged relief in the mountainous territory of the central plateau, which stretches from north to south. Most towns and villages of Challapata are located between 3700 and 4300 m. The municipality has a cold and dry weather with average annual temperatures of around 4.4 º C in July and 11.6 º C in February, but sometimes can drop to -10 º C in the cold months. The rainy season starts in October or November and runs until March, and is characterized by heavy rains followed by periods of 10-20 days without rain. The remaining months are dry season flows.

According to the national census of population and housing, in 2001 Turco has 3818 inhabitants, composed almost evenly of men and women and represented by young under 25 years that form nearly 50% of the population. However, the estimated population in 2009 was 3771 inhabitants, a slightly decrease is mainly explained by migration to the cities in search of jobs and better opportunities. There are few major population centers and most populations are small villages with few houses. The estimated density of the municipality is 0.98 inhabitants per km2. According to the 2001 census, the life expectancy at birth in the municipality of Turco is 49.6 years. Challapata has a much larger population with 24370 inhabitants almost evenly distributed between men and women being 50% of the population under 20 years. In contrast, in Challapata the population is increasing, it was estimated for 2009 a total of 27517 inhabitants. The density of the population of the municipality is 8.08 inhabitants per km2. According to the 2001 census, the life expectancy at birth in the municipality of Challapata is 53.7 years.

The 2001 census data showed that the global literacy rate for the entire Turco municipality is 86.4% that is below the departmental average of 94.0%. The average years of study at the municipality are 5.7. Women still are disadvantaged in their access to education, as an example their illiteracy rate is 10.7%, while for men it has decreased to 4.2%. In the municipality of Challapata the situation is even more limited, with the overall literacy rate of 76.9% and the average years of schooling of 4.4.

The lack of permanent jobs and income security causes migration of the population of both municipalities to larger towns and cities from the department of Oruro, other departments of Bolivia, or even neighbouring cities of Chile. According to the Municipal Development Program (PDM) of 2007, 7.48% of the population of Turco has emigrated temporarily or permanently . This occurs more frequently among men (74.59%) from 10 to 50 years, children and youth because of higher level studies and for jobs to supplement the family income. In Challapata, according to the PDM 2002, the migration amounts to 29.21% of the population.

## **2.3 Basic services**

88 Sustainable Growth and Applications in Renewable Energy Sources

Due to low income of people in remote rural areas, the ability to pay is weak. However the amount of money previously used for the purchase of other energy sources (candles, kerosene, batteries, gas, etc.) may now be used to cover the cost of the electricity service. It is estimated that nearly all population strata might pay a US\$ 2.5 monthly fee, considering that the payment will be for more convenient energy services than those previously used. It is noteworthy that the percentage of expenses for energy supply with respect to income is

Some people have expressed their desire to obtain higher rates of public or international cooperation funding for electrification systems; this is probably due to very welfare practices developed by institutions in the past plans in these rural areas. However, it is obvious the willingness of communities and families to finance their consumption in case of having electricity. Moreover, it is worth to consider that making periodic payments for the energy service is not a common practice; traditional energy sources were acquired on

The municipality of Turco is located in the western area of department of Oruro, in the province of Sajama, at an altitude of 3860 m. Turco has an area of around 3873 km2, its topography is flat and rugged, with a large flat surface combined with hills and low hills with slopes of 5 to 15% and mountain slopes up to 60%. Most towns and villages of Turco are located at altitudes ranging between 3738 and 4200 meters, the mountain range has peaks reaching 5300 m. In general, the weather is cold, with annual mean minimum temperature of - 1.6 º C and maximum of 19.8 º C. Turco is characterized by two very distinct seasons: a dry

On the other hand, the Municipality of Challapata belongs to the province of Avaroa, in the south-eastern department of Oruro. Challapata has an area of around 3014 km2. The municipality has a semi-rugged relief in the mountainous territory of the central plateau, which stretches from north to south. Most towns and villages of Challapata are located between 3700 and 4300 m. The municipality has a cold and dry weather with average annual temperatures of around 4.4 º C in July and 11.6 º C in February, but sometimes can drop to -10 º C in the cold months. The rainy season starts in October or November and runs until March, and is characterized by heavy rains followed by periods of 10-20 days without

According to the national census of population and housing, in 2001 Turco has 3818 inhabitants, composed almost evenly of men and women and represented by young under 25 years that form nearly 50% of the population. However, the estimated population in 2009 was 3771 inhabitants, a slightly decrease is mainly explained by migration to the cities in search of jobs and better opportunities. There are few major population centers and most populations are small villages with few houses. The estimated density of the municipality is 0.98 inhabitants per km2. According to the 2001 census, the life expectancy at birth in the municipality of Turco is 49.6 years. Challapata has a much larger population with 24370 inhabitants almost evenly distributed between men and women being 50% of the population under 20 years. In contrast, in Challapata the population is increasing, it was estimated for 2009 a total of 27517 inhabitants. The density of the population of the municipality is 8.08 inhabitants per km2. According to the 2001 census, the life expectancy at birth in the

season from April to September and a rainy season between October and March.

rain. The remaining months are dry season flows.

municipality of Challapata is 53.7 years.

specific occasions when families had available economic resources.

higher when the income level is lower.

**2.2 Area and population** 

According to the laws of municipal management, basic services are under the responsibility of municipal government. However, the municipality of Turco has not assumed responsibility for developing municipal policies aimed to ensure the coverage of basic services to the population, while the municipality of Challapata, has developed this task with moderate success. It is clear that in both cases the resources are not sufficient to meet the needs of the communities and, moreover, the operational capacity of the technical teams of the municipalities is limited.

The attention of medical services is poor and does not cover the expectations of the population. Firstly, the equipment they have is limited, and secondly, the treatment provided by officials and health professionals to patients does not meet the desired quality. In short, it is estimated that by 2007 there was approximately 1 doctor for 1909 people in the municipality of Turco and 1 doctor to 2437 people in the municipality of Challapata. Most of the population lives in communities of few houses that lack basic services; people must travel long distances to reach education and health services.

According to the PDM (2007), communities, farms and other remote areas have no electricity and rely on the use of kerosene or other methods of illumination at night. A study and evaluation of future energy demand estimated it (to meet the needs of households) as about 180 Wh / household / day. This study assumed a rational and efficient use of the energy and considered the power supply for each benefited the use of little appliances (radio, television, etc.).
