Frameworks for attaining universal energy access

Louw, Katherine

Frameworks for attaining universal energy access

Master Thesis

2014

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

Abstract

When assessing universal access to clean, modern energy, Sub-Saharan Africa lags behind many other regions. It has an electrification rate of 32 and in rural regions, only 18 of households have access to modern energy. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, there have been two successful cases for expanding access to energy, those of Mauritius and South Africa. Using a case study approach, this dissertation outlines the key components of the necessary enabling environments, including the need for central coordination; effective, independent regulatory regimes; and monitoring and evaluation as a component of good governance, to ensure programmes are adaptable. Using this theoretical framework to analyse the two countries’ experiences, the author establishes that even though the Mauritian and South African electrification programmes were implemented in different decades under different sets of socio-economic circumstances, common elements drove the success of both programmes. Both countries placed great political importance on achieving universal energy access. The political will created the sustained momentum needed to implement successful electrification programmes through ensuring sufficient funding, establishing legal environments and policy frameworks within which to operate, and allowing for technical options to be explored where necessary.

Description

Includes bibliographical references.

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