Abstract
Renewable energy (RE) generation is expected to become the main source of energy in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) over the next century. However, more often than not, the sustainability aspect of these projects is a characteristic that is not clearly defined in terms of projects implemented in SSA. The rate at which projects fail is creating a negative impact towards the full acceptance of renewable energy technologies (RETs).The aim of this paper is to comprehensively explore the reasons of failures and provide recommendations towards the sustainable management of RE projects in SSA. We accomplish this by combining findings from past literature on the failures of RE projects in SSA with an ethnographic approach and practical experience in the implementation of RE projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. We propose the following solutions: (i) transparency, (ii) ownership, (iii) shared responsibility and (iv) community involvement. We further present hermeneutic recommendations that should be taken into account by stakeholders towards implementation of any sustainable renewable energy project.
Highlights
The true development of the Sub-Sahara is principally hinged on the possibility of the provision of clean energy
Whilst the potential definition of project success is based on, for example, patronage, economic spin-off, public acceptance and appreciation, most literature bases large projects’ successfulness on time and cost aspects [33]. This differs when the focus is on Renewable Energy (RE) projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, because the success of a project is based on its ability to deliver the expected outcome
That we discussed the key causes for failure, we investigate how to achieve adequate sustainable management of renewable energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Summary
The true development of the Sub-Sahara is principally hinged on the possibility of the provision of clean energy. Few to no studies have been carried out on the sustainable management or the failures of renewable energy development projects in SubSaharan Africa. Ikejemba et al [17] presented a study analyzing the failures and absence of sustainable management attributed to RE development projects in SSA. The adoption of renewable energy technologies (RETs) follows the need to substitute sustainable energy sources for fossil fuel sources in the wake of climate change and global warming This transformation from fossil sources to RE sources faces systemic challenges which require the intervention of governments, international organizations and corporations. On the other hand, developing countries rely more on technology transfer to implement their RE projects This makes it even more demanding to take sustainable management practices more seriously in RE projects in SSA.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
