Each time a pump is installed the project signs a maintenance contract with the village in question. There are now 250 pumps in operation, totalling almost 300 kWp. The Regional Solar Programme, financed by the European Economic Community, has plans for the installation of a thousand solar water-pumping systems in the Sahel. Various installation teams have been created and most of those working in the region have joined up with village water operations co-ordinated by the national Department of Energy. III Solar pre-electrification in rural areas in Senegal 1.
Villagers mainly depend on wood for cooking and heating.
This great dependence combined with extensive agricultural practices have brought about the depletion of ligneous resources around villages, compelling the people to cover greater and greater distances in search of their supply. Kerosene, and to a lesser extent, candles and butane gas, is used for lighting. Dry batteries are used for lighting and radio sets. These modern energy sources are expensive and are less efficient than electricity. A look at Senegal's national grid shows that apart from Dakar and the other cities, the localities that are serviced are concentrated along the main roads which are bordered by the transport and distribution electric wires.