Abstract
The need to enhance energy access has led to the growing recognition of renewable energy sources in sustainable regional development. However, solar power, one of the less polluting renewable energy sources, continues to receive little attention in some developing countries seeking balanced development. Through a review of the literature, this paper examines the need for regional electrification by solar power and suggests measures to integrate regional energy policies and processes for balanced development. The authors find that there are many social, economic, and environmental benefits associated with using solar power. For instance, solar energy creates employment opportunities, reduces a country’s foreign dependence, improves freedom of choice, improves a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and human development index (HDI), and is associated with improved environmental conservation. The region of East Africa is keen to reap these sustainable development gains through solar power electrification. The establishment of the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency constitutes an important melting pot for diverse renewable energy policies, in addition to confirming a commitment to solar power deployment. Moreover, some East African Community (EAC) states appear to be progressing faster towards regional solar power projects, while other states are lagging due to complex contextual challenges. However, the overall contribution of solar power to sustainable development remains low, as individual states appear to be focused on developing their national solar power projects. Nonetheless, there is great hope for regional development through shared solar power development if EAC states implement a number of regulatory and voluntary interventions.
Highlights
Many developing countries are increasingly pursuing development toward greener economies
In the energy sectors of most countries, electrification appears to be transitioning from the use of fossil fuels to greener renewable energy sources, especially solar power
This trend is attributed to many contextual factors, such as the growing consciousness of the negative impacts of fossil fuels; increased awareness of the benefits of solar technologies, which can contribute to community development in many respects; the increasingly positive attitude toward solar power; the favorable policy environment provided by governments; and the quest for energy security by countries, regions, and trading blocs [2,4]
Summary
Many developing countries are increasingly pursuing development toward greener economies. In the energy sectors of most countries, electrification appears to be transitioning from the use of fossil fuels to greener renewable energy sources, especially solar power. This green electrification trend is being shaped by the rising awareness of the negative impacts of fossil-fuel-powered energy systems, such as climate change and air pollution. The authors observe that, albeit with differences in regional patterns of electrification, from the perspective of sustainable development, growing solar electrification has arisen largely due to the increasing awareness of the environmental and socio-economic gains of renewable energy systems. In the East African region, renewable energy resources, especially solar energy, remain under-exploited. There is a scarcity of information on how regional solar energy policies could be improved for greater synergistic effects on balanced regional
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