Renewable energy sources also called non-conventional energy, are sources that are continuously replenished by natural processes. For example, solar energy, wind energy, bio-energy, bio-fuels, hydropower etc., are some of the examples of renewable energy sources. A renewable energy system converts the energy found in sunlight, wind, falling-water, seawaves, geothermal heat, or biomass into a form, we can use such as heat or electricity. Most of the renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from sun and wind and can never be exhausted, and therefore they are called renewable.

Their exists a multitude of pilot and even full-scale projects using renewable energy sources for the energy provision of remote areas in Laos, Cambodia and other developing counties. The technology catalogue developed within REEPRO contains data sheets of selected best-practice projects suitable for replication in the region or as examples for the training programmes. Not all projects are transferable to any region of Laos and Cambodia but to learn about the different approaches will help the trainees to develop individual solutions to tackle the demand of specific locations.