Bio-energy has a special status among renewable energy sources, and will inevitably play a leading role in the global transition to clean and sustainable energy. It has several decisive advantages over other renewables in terms of efficiency, safety, cleanness, and low impact on the environment.

This study assesses a bio-ethanol program in Ethiopia based on a stated preference survey carried out in 2008. Bio-ethanol is considered as as a cooking fuel in the area and locally produced under a development program supported by a local NGO. The objectives of the program is to promote a clean and safety cooking ethanol at an affordable cost. Currently, local people use other fuels such as kerosene, charcoal, and fire-wood, which are more polluting, dangerous, and expensive (without a subsidy) than the bio-ethanol.

This study developed an integrated quali-quanti discrete choice approach to assess the potential of the clean energy. The qualitative part identifies contextualised social and cultural specificities  associated with cooking fuels. Then, some of the social issues are integrated into a quantitative discrete choice analysis together with other economic factors.  The qualitative and quantitative analyses complement each other's weakness and strength.