Renewable energy technology (RET) are considered as “one of the strong contenders to improve plight” (Painuly 2001: 73) for more than 2 billion people in developing coun-tries who don’t have access to the clean modern energy which is essential to social and economic development (BMZ 2006). RET are increasingly recognised for their contri-bution to development especially in rural areas, increasing health, energy independence and climate change mitigation.
Due to massive technological improvements in recent years, economies of scale in pro-duction and given the absence of market distortions , RET can be cost competitive with conventional energy sources. This counts especially for off-grid RET in rural and remote areas where costs for grid connection are excessively expensive and where 80% of people without access to electricity live. RET become even more competitive if environmental externalities are factored into the market price of competing fuels (Martinot et al. 2002). Despite those advantages, RET in developing and developed countries are only tapped to a small amount of their potential as there are several types of barriers to their deployment (Painuly 2001). While traditional renewable energy sources like bio-mass (i.e. fuel wood, animal wastes and crop residues) provide 30 - 45% of the energy supply in developing countries (up to 90 % in rural Sub-Sahara-Africa) RET produce only about 2 % of the global energy supply, mostly in developed countries (REN21 2005).
This paper aims to identify major drivers and barriers to the deployment of renewable energy technology in developing countries. In chapter two the main drivers for RET, as well as their ability to contribute to development aims and poverty reduction, will be discussed in general, as there are a number of incentives for developing as well as de-veloped countries. Barriers, however, depend more on the particular technology and conditions in countries or regions (Martinot et al. 2002). The second part of this paper will look at a specific case study: The deployment of solar water pumps in Ghana.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Drivers for the deployment of RET in developing countries
2.1. Drivers for developing countries
2.2. Drivers for developed countries
3. Barriers to the deployment of RET in developing countries
4. Case study: Barriers to the deployment of solar water pumps in Ghana
4.1. Energy in Ghana
4.2. Case study: Solar water pumps in Ghana
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper aims to investigate the primary drivers and barriers associated with the deployment of renewable energy technologies (RET) in developing nations, with a specific focus on the practical application of solar water pumps in Ghana to illustrate these dynamics.
- Analysis of economic and social incentives for RET adoption.
- Examination of market failures and institutional barriers in developing countries.
- Evaluation of international climate change policies and their influence on RET deployment.
- Case study assessment of energy infrastructure challenges in Ghana.
- Recommendations for market-oriented policy frameworks to foster sustainable energy solutions.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2. Case study: Solar water pumps in Ghana
This case study is based on the study “Implementation of Renewable Energy Technologies - Barriers and Opportunities. Ghana Country Study” (Ejekumhene et al. 2002). As solar water pumps (SWP) seem to have the greatest potential for future applications in Ghana, this technology and the barriers to its deployment will be analysed in more detail.
Water pumps in Ghana are used for domestic drinking water supply and for industrial or agricultural production, especially irrigation of land. Possible technologies are hand-pumps, diesel-driven pumps and electric pumps (grid based or solar PV). SWP have important potential to meet those needs. In many areas these pumps are not only the least costly option for energy driven pumps, but they are also more reliable than diesel-driven pumps. Many areas are not connected to the grid so that grid-based electricity is not available and for some regions diesel fuel is not available on a regular basis. Small SWP systems require relatively low capital outlay and fewer skills and less equipment than the instalment and maintenance of bigger systems.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of RET for global development and sets the scope for identifying barriers and drivers, culminating in a focused case study on Ghana.
2. Drivers for the deployment of RET in developing countries: Discusses the socio-economic benefits for developing nations, such as energy independence and poverty reduction, alongside the strategic interests of developed nations regarding climate goals.
3. Barriers to the deployment of RET in developing countries: Categorizes obstacles into market failures, economic challenges, institutional gaps, and technical limitations that impede widespread technology adoption.
4. Case study: Barriers to the deployment of solar water pumps in Ghana: Examines the specific energy landscape of Ghana and analyzes the systemic barriers preventing the successful implementation of solar water pumping technology.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes findings by emphasizing the necessity of market-oriented policies and the critical role of information dissemination in overcoming barriers to sustainable energy.
Keywords
Renewable Energy Technology, RET, Developing Countries, Ghana, Solar Water Pumps, Energy Poverty, Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, Market Barriers, Rural Electrification, Sustainable Development, Technology Transfer, Energy Policy, Economic Development, Infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the primary drivers and obstacles affecting the implementation of renewable energy technologies in developing countries, using Ghana as a practical case study for solar water pumps.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the socio-economic impact of electrification, the role of international climate agreements, the identification of market failures, and the necessity of institutional support for technology dissemination.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The goal is to identify why RET deployment remains limited despite its potential, and to suggest how policy frameworks can be improved to foster functioning energy markets.
Which scientific methodology is applied here?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis, primarily based on existing country studies and technical literature, to categorize barriers and provide an in-depth case study of Ghana's energy sector.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover general drivers for RET, a classification of barriers—such as economic, institutional, and technical hurdles—and a specific analysis of the solar water pump sector in Ghana.
How can the paper be characterized by its keywords?
It is characterized by terms related to sustainable development, energy policy, rural electrification, and the economics of technology transfer in the Global South.
Why are solar water pumps considered a promising technology for Ghana?
They are highlighted as a reliable and cost-effective alternative to diesel pumps and hand-pumps in off-grid rural areas where traditional fuel supply is irregular.
What is the impact of donor-funded projects on local markets in Ghana?
The paper notes that while donor support helps, it sometimes inadvertently hinders the development of a self-sustaining market by disrupting price signals and discouraging private entrepreneurship.
What role does the 'Community Water and Sanitation Department' play in Ghana?
The department supports rural water supply but the paper criticizes its influence as misleading, as it often encourages the selection of the cheapest systems rather than sustainable renewable solutions.
- Quote paper
- Cynthia Dittmar (Author), 2008, Barriers and drivers for the deployment of renewable energy technology in developing countries, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/131922
