Politics and (Self)-Organisation of Electricity System Transitions in a Global North–South Perspective

Eberhard Rothfuß,Festus Boamah

doi:10.17645/pag.v8i3.3636

Abstract

Dominant electricity systems are inevitably transitioning into new forms in terms of power generation mix, mode of energy system governance and vested interests, the extent of state and consumer/citizen participation in the energy system, and energy justice expectations in different geographies in the Global North and Global South. In this editorial to the thematic issue entitled <em>Politics and (Self-)Organisation of Electricity System Transitions in a Global North–South Perspective</em>, we discuss politics and (self)-organisation of (just) energy transitions to expose how messy, convoluted, and fluid future electricity system transitions can be in both the Global North and Global South.

Highlights

The destructive consequence of fossil fuel consumption is self-evident
The energy industry alone contributes over 40% of global carbon emissions (International Energy Agency, 2020), and so the claim that the Paris-compliant global carbon budget requires complete decarbonisation by 2030–2045 (Anderson et al, 2020) suggests a radical transformation of the society, the economy and governance of energy systems across the world in less than three decades
The electricity sector certainly has important roles to play in decarbonisation initiatives, especially given recent advancements in lowcarbon energy technologies and their capacity to complement fossil fuel-dependent, centralised electricity systems which are currently losing their appeal in favour of decentralised electricity options in both the Global North and Global South (Boamah, 2020b; Bouffard & Kirschen, 2008; Taylor, Turner, Willette, & Uawithya, 2015)

Summary

Global Decarbonisation and the Role of the Electricity Sector

The destructive consequence of fossil fuel consumption is self-evident. Causal mechanisms and scientific remedial measures are well known and yet the proposed decarbonisation initiatives seem either far-fetched or run the risk of adventuring into an arena of obscurities, uncertainties, and ambivalences. What appears intriguing is the continuous promotion of low-carbon energy solutions in Global South countries where the technology is neither cost-effective nor compatible with their politics, energy system, socioeconomic conditions, and the energy visions of different social groups (Boamah, 2020b). The electricity sector certainly has important roles to play in decarbonisation initiatives, especially given recent advancements in lowcarbon energy technologies and their capacity to complement fossil fuel-dependent, centralised electricity systems which are currently losing their appeal in favour of decentralised electricity options in both the Global North and Global South (Boamah, 2020b; Bouffard & Kirschen, 2008; Taylor, Turner, Willette, & Uawithya, 2015). In other words, which electricity system transition should be chosen, with regards to where, when, for whom, with what consequences for the economy and fossil fuel consumption, and in order to escape which kind of entanglements?

Highlights from the Four Articles and Our Argument

Findings

Final Reflections and Unresolved Questions Needing Attention