Straight vegetable oil from Jatropha curcas L. for rural electrification in Mali – A techno-economic assessment

JEALE (Jatropha Economic Assessment for Local Electrification) is a computer-based decision support tool designed to estimate the economic viability of Jatropha oil production and use for rural electrification. In many developing countries, SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil) from Jatropha curcas L. may be a serious local alternative to diesel-fuelled electricity generation, offering environmental benefits and acting as a potential driver for economic development. JEALE provides a general framework for techno-economic analysis of the Jatropha local value chain. Such an undertaking is challenging due to the high number of parameters, from seed propagation to grid-supplied electrical generation, which must be factored into such an assessment, and the very different forms and scales that SVO production can take in rural areas. The evaluation of a Malian case study shows that electrification projects are balanced on the threshold of economic competitiveness, regardless of the demand scenario, and have a high degree of sensitivity to parameters such as seed yields, petroleum prices, characteristics of geographic locations and labour costs. The highest financial risk is carried by the farming sector. Many of these parameters lie outside the control of investors; however, in the current context of the rarefaction of fossil resources combined with a strong global focus on sustainable energy solutions, the results reveal the usability of a cold-pressed and refined Jatropha SVO in adapted diesel engines.

► Economic viability of Jatropha-based electrification projects remains uncertain.
► JEALE provides a pragmatic overview of Jatropha projects complete value chain.
► Costs assessment and economic viability are compared with diesel solutions.
► Regardless of the demand scenario, diesel solutions are generally more viable.
► Seed yield, diesel price, locations and labour costs are highly sensitive parameters.