Renewable energy partnerships in development cooperation: Towards a relational understanding of technical assistance

Abstract

Renewable energy partnerships in development cooperation

Advanced Education and Training Programs to Support Renewable Energy Investment in Africa

“…In the wake of energy costs and the role played in the economy, recent growth in energy consumption has influenced some countries to develop and execute various strategies including: improvement in the efficiency of energy use, increase in energy conservation and development of new renewable sources of energy (Sebitosi and Pillay, 2008). Furthermore, the increasing awareness of the role that renewable energy can play in the world energy systems, especially for the supply of energy in rural areas, has increased the interest of most countries in creating appropriate training programs such as short courses related to these energy sources (Kruckenberg, 2015). It is evident that all projects relying on renewable energy and equipment rely on the availability of specialists of various levels, who are able to use and maintain the installed equipment.…”

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“…In the wake of energy costs and the role played in the economy, recent growth in energy consumption has influenced some countries to develop and execute various strategies including: improvement in the efficiency of energy use, increase in energy conservation and development of new renewable sources of energy (Sebitosi and Pillay, 2008). Furthermore, the increasing awareness of the role that renewable energy can play in the world energy systems, especially for the supply of energy in rural areas, has increased the interest of most countries in creating appropriate training programs such as short courses related to these energy sources (Kruckenberg, 2015). It is evident that all projects relying on renewable energy and equipment rely on the availability of specialists of various levels, who are able to use and maintain the installed equipment.…”

North–South partnerships for sustainable energy: Knowledge–power relations in development assistance for renewable energy

“…A growing number of case studies of RET interventions have informed the progressive development of more inclusive RET programme designs, slowly shifting the focus from technology donations, to market building, and then to multi-actor partnerships aiming at the provision of sustainable energy services (Kruckenberg, 2015;Martinot et al, 2002;Sovacool, 2012). Partnerships for sustainable energy are seen as a vehicle for overcoming persistent barriers to the adoption of off-grid RETs, and for enhancing the participation of local stakeholders (Kruckenberg, 2015;Morsink et al, 2011).…”

“…Research into development assistance for renewable energy suggests that many RET interventions focus on the implementation of projects, on distribution channels and on productive use, while only some aim at enhancing local production and innovation capacities, despite the latter having been found to be essential for the institutionalisation and stabilisation of low-carbon development pathways (Bell, 2012;Doranova et al, 2011;Kruckenberg, 2015;Ockwell et al, 2008). …”

“…3 Case studies of development interventions aiming at the adoption of off-grid RETs reported mixed outcomes, with the impact and sustainability of international programmes being inhibited by persistent resource, capacity and participation gaps (Bhattacharyya, 2012;Kruckenberg, 2015;Kumar et al, 2009;Sovacool and Drupady, 2012). North-South partnerships between organisations with complementary resources and expertise are seen as having the potential to bridge some of these gaps, and they are thought to play an important role in the creation of alternative low-carbon development pathways (Chaurey et al, 2012;Fernández-Baldor et al, 2012;Forsyth, 2012;Kruckenberg, 2015;Mallett, 2013;Morsink et al, 2011). However, it has been shown that the performance 1 The terms 'Global South'/'Southern' and 'Global North'/'Northern' refer to the inequalities existing between the Northern and Southern hemispheres.…”