One tends to believe that rural electrification is the outcome of the sole efforts of governments (central, local or regional) and/or of international development or funding agencies. But the involvement of rural communities in the process, particularly their participation in decision-making committees, has added value to the planning process and given the communities a sense of ownership of the process. Because of their intrinsic characteristics, rural community workers have invaluable knowledge of their region's consumption patterns, have authority to educate consumers in how to use electricity, can support the utilities in encouraging customers to connect and in training in the use of energy efficiency measures, etc.