Potentialities and limits of Jatropha curcas L. as alternative energy source to traditional energy sources in Northern Ghana

• Energy profiles of seven communities in Northern Ghana are illustrated.
• J. curcas potentialities in replacing traditional energy sources are explored.
• Social and environmental implications of J. curcas smallholder extensive plantations

This article aims to analyze not only the limits but also the potentialities of Jatropha curcas as an alternative energy source to the most common energy sources, such as firewood and charcoal, utilized in Northern Ghana. In 2010, a Participatory Rural Appraisal was conducted in seven rural communities in the West Mamprusi District (Northern region, Ghana). In this context, J. curcas plantations were promoted at smallholder scale and 480 ha of decentralized J. curcas plantations has been established, involving 1,200 farmers (0.4 ha of land per farmer). J. curcas was cultivated only on marginal soil, defined as lands unused for at least 2 years. The proposed J. curcas system could potentially replace, in terms of energy content, 21% of firewood or 21.8% of charcoal monthly used by households, with comparable costs and time , respect to the traditional energy sources.