One of the local programs highlighted in Marrakech was the Moroccan renewable energy program, including a weekend visit to both solar and wind powered villages. Morocco is considered the African leader in renewable energy sources, and used the opportunity of hosted COP7 to highlight, and therefore encourage foreign investment in its environmental programs.

Chile, like Morocco, will join with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and some private investors in exploring candidate villages for renewable electrification. Like Morocco, most of Chile's urban population is already on the main electrical grid, but renewable sources could come in handy in rural, remote areas that the grid may not reach for years.

"At the onset of the new century, the Government is firmly committed to promoting renewable energies and improving electricity services for rural and isolated areas of Chile," said Vivianne Blanlot, Executive Secretary of Chile's National Energy Commission (CNE).

The five-year initiative will provide power to 10,370 households and pave the way for electrification of at least 100,000 homes with renewable energy by 2020. This is small in comparison to Morocco's goal of 2 million people in the next nine years, but a promising beginning.

The UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF) Unit is allocating $6 million for the project under its mandate to help prevent climate change by helping countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Project plans also include co financing with the Government to provide $17.2 million, with the private sector $7.6 million, and with local communities $1.5 million. CNE is carrying out the project, and UNDP is administering it.

Subsidized diesel and gasoline powered generators can supply electricity to these isolated areas, but renewable energy could play a big part. Solar energy has abundant potential in the north; hydro and biomass energy from plant material and wood waste can be used in the south; and wind power could be tapped along the lengthy coastline and in the far south.

As in Morocco active participation of local communities and regional governments is considered essential for the project's success, and members of local communities will be invited to take part in a coordination committee to support and monitor the project. A parallel campaign to raise public awareness and knowledge of non-conventional renewable energy technology will also be launched.