Mr Stephen Muthimba (Director, Camco Kenya) briefed the MPs on the advantages of decentralized options for energy supply over grid extension, which is often costly where small populations live far apart - as in rural areas. He explained that decentralized mini-grid systems, powered by several installations and possibly a range of different sources such as sun, wind, hydro or biomass, can provide clean power to remote rural communities, at relatively low costs, and that this can contribute to poverty alleviation.