22 February 2013: The latest e-bulletin of the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) highlights: efforts to integrate externalities into electricity supply decisions; a new online ESMAP activity database; and a report on extending access to energy in Rwanda.

The newsletter features the well-received Model for Electricity Technology Assessment (META) developed by ESMAP, which was launched to the World Bank Group, selected partners and clients in June 2012. The model provides a comparative assessment of costs for a variety of electricity supply options including renewable energy. One of the model’s novel features is the ability to integrate environmental externalities, including climate and health costs.

In other news, ESMAP’s activities and information from ESMAP’s monitoring and evaluating system is now available online. Numerous global ESMAP-supported activities are featured, including details of methodology and indicators deployed.

A report on extending access to energy in Rwanda is also highlighted in the bulletin. The report focuses on key lessons from a country-driven, results-based, sector-wide approach (SWAp), which brings together relevant stakeholders to coordinate aid within the sector.

ESMAP is a global knowledge and technical assistance partnership administered by the World Bank working to increase knowledge and institutional capacity to achieve environmentally sustainable energy solutions for poverty reduction and economic growth. [Publication: ESMAP Monthly E-Bulletin February 2013 Issue]