Energy is vital to health, well being and economic survival. But the task of providing sustainable energy services to rural communities in developing countries is a complex one. Social priorities, environmental issues, financial constraints, gender differences, demographic characteristics, technical considerations and institutional frameworks all play some role in ensuring that energy investments meet the needs of local people. The energy challenge for the 21st century is to integrate these diverse constraints into a coherent decision-making framework. This book provides an illustrated and accessible guidance manual for this task.;The primary audience for the manual consists of energy analysts, policy makers, development workers and researchers in developing countries. The secondary beneficiaries will be academics interested in development issues, energy industry experts and decision-makers at the local or government level involved in making decisions about energy and development policies.;The manual presents a range of analytical techniques to assist in evaluating and comparing energy technology options from a variety of important perspectives.