Managing Sustainable Energy Projects: A Review on Success Factors

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to compile consideration factors for the success of Renewable Energy projects. The chances of completing a renewable energy (RE) project are still an issue. Over the past decade, researchers have sought to identify the barriers to the project and the key success factors for successful projects. But a comprehensive set of success factors is lacking. Method: A systematic review was conducted using 92 research articles and 45 secondary reports. Literature identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion steps were followed based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Flow Diagram. Findings: As a result, 61 success factors were compiled and classified into nine different categories: Project Strategy, Policies & Politics, Project Attributes, Stakeholder Interactions, Project Parameters, Culture & Leadership Resources, Managing Risks and Project Governance. Originality: A unique scientific tool has been proposed to calculate project success probability. Each success factor score is based on a Likert scale of 1-5 to calculate weighted average value of each category leading to the success probability. This tool will be beneficial for project management practitioners, project sponsors, government agencies, policy makers and researchers. Limitation/Implications: The comprehensive set of project success factors is considered for RE projects only. However, a similar approach can be applied to other projects to ensure higher success. It has been recommended that the project team assess each factor score frequently and make every effort to raise each category score to 5 as much as is realistically possible.