Institutional influence on power sector investments: A case study of on- and off-grid energy in Kenya and Tanzania
- Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
With the recent decline of renewable energy technology costs—most notably solar photovoltaics —off-grid energy systems are becoming increasingly attractive alternatives to grid extension for advancing rural electrification in Africa. However, there are institutional challenges to wider adoption of off-grid solutions. Combining a multi-level perspective with project funding data from the Kenyan and Tanzanian energy sectors, we assess the extent to which these new off-grid technologies have been incorporated into the existing energy regimes in both countries. Using a qualitative assessment of academic literature and official documents, and a quantitative assessment of energy investments, we find that although international development agencies have provided financial support for niche, off-grid companies, both global donors and the regime electricity sector operators in Kenya and Tanzania continue to favor on-grid and grid extension activities. While landscape influences on both countries are similar, we find that differences within the institutional regimes result in different development pathways for off-grid niches. In Kenya, unbundling and privatization efforts have attracted private investment in both on- and off-grid projects. Finally, Tanzania has more relaxed regulations for off-grid power producers, and a clearer regulatory framework for allowing off-grid operators to impose cost-reflective tariffs, which creates a supportive environment for niche innovation.
- Research Organization:
- Hydropower Foundation, Littleton, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Water Power Technologies Office
- Grant/Contract Number:
- EE0006506
- OSTI ID:
- 1638635
- Journal Information:
- Energy Research and Social Science, Vol. 41, Issue C; Related Information: M. Babcock, R. E. Ciez, A. Loew, B. Sergi, J. Thornburg, and N. J. Williams, “Institutional Influence on Power Sector Investments: A Case Study of Distributed and Centralized Energy in Kenya and Tanzania”, Energy Research and Social Science: Special Issue on Energy Infrastructure and the Political Economy of National Dev, April 2018.; ISSN 2214-6296
- Publisher:
- ElsevierCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Making electrification models more realistic by incorporating differences in institutional quality and financing cost
|
journal | October 2019 |
Similar Records
Energy conservation in Kenya: progress, potentials, problems
WE-A-16A-01: International Medical Physics Symposium: Increasing Access to Medical Physics Education/Training and Research Excellence