Energy Justice, Hydropower and Grid Systems in the Global South

Abstract

Grid systems are key focal points for energy debates in the Global South. Off-and on-grid realities, with a plethora of microgrid systems in between, exist simultaneously with differing under-explored consequences for rights, responsibilities, opportunities and constraints. We argue that a conceptualisation around macroand micro-levels of justice helps to elucidate this complexity. A comparative philosophical approach ensues through a spatial exploration of justice in relation to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the grid systems derived from hydropower. Original qualitative data is presented, analysed and reflected upon with concluding insights into conducting energy justice in the Global South.

An Ecohealth approach to energy justice: Evidence from Malawi’s energy transition from biomass to electrification

“…Energy justice literature has historically focused on energy injustices which emerge in the U.K., Europe, the USA, Australia and more recently in China [31]. Increasing focus is being applied to countries outside the global north, for example in Nepal [32,33], South Africa [7,34], Mexico [35][36][37][38], Mozambique [39], the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) [40], Ghana [41,42], Sierra Leone [43] and India [44][45][46]. However, these case studies still represent a minority of energy justice scholarship [47].…”

“…Analysis was manual, ongoing and iterative, taking place during fieldwork in Malawi and in the UK. Insights from interviews were coded abductively [103,104] and grouped into themes which drew on the principles of the Ecohealth movement and the tenets of Energy Justice Framework [25,40,67]. These principles understand energy systems as determinants of both human health and ecosystem health [101].…”

Achieving energy justice in Malawi: from key challenges to policy recommendations

“…New policy mechanisms have been identified in relation to local decision-making in Bangladesh through the energy justice framework (Moniruzzaman & Day, 2020). Kruger and McCauley (2020) put forward recommendations for financial compensation in hydropower policy Democratic Republic of Congo. The focus of such research is to explore the expert opinions of key policy stakeholders at all levels.…”

Achieving Energy Justice in Malawi: From key Challenges to Policy Recommendations

“…New policy mechanisms have been identi ed in relation to local decision-making in Bangladesh through the energy justice framework (Moniruzzaman & Day, 2020). Kruger and McCauley (2020) put forward recommendations for nancial compensation in hydropower policy Democratic Republic of Congo. The focus of such research is to explore the expert opinions of key policy stakeholders at all levels.…”