ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the applications of microcomputers to the development of the energy sector in developing countries and, in particular, in the process of planning and implementing national energy programs. Applications of microcomputers in the energy sector can be taken as representive of the more general issues of the role of computers in the development process. The advent of the microcomputer has radically changed not only how analysis is carried out in the energy field, but what analysis is performed. The range of potential applications of microcomputers in developing countries for energy development is extremely large. After several years of applications of microcomputers in planning, some general conclusions can be drawn. The development of microcomputer technology itself has facilitated both the process of policy analysis and the process of local participation. There are many possible applications for microcomputers in industry in developing countries.
