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Review of the small wind turbine sector in Kenya: Status and bottlenecks for growth

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  • Kamp, Linda M.
  • Vanheule, Lynn F.I.

Abstract

Rural electrification has been a long-standing goal in Kenya, but there is still a long way to go with only 7% rural access to electricity. Therefore, there lies great potential for small wind turbines (SWT) in areas with sufficient wind resources. This paper presents a review of the SWT sector in Kenya. The review consists of a description of the status of the sector and a more in-depth investigation into factors and dynamics that hinder sector growth. This investigation is performed by using a combination of two theoretical approaches: Strategic Niche Management (SNM) and the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP). The main insights from this review are that the SWT sector in Kenya is growing but is characterized by one-time experiments, fragmented learning experiences, lack of focus and low quality products and services. The weakly aligned network with many underperforming actors and unaligned expectations is the main cause of the weak current status of the sector. Despite the low rural electricity access and growing electricity demand, niche upscaling remains cumbersome due to external factors such as corruption, poverty, lack of innovation and an anti-entrepreneurial mind-set. The results of this review serve as inputs for recommendations for all niche actors on what can be done to make the niche grow. In addition, the paper includes ideas on how the SNM and MLP approaches could become better suited for reviewing and analyzing renewable energy technologies in developing countries such as SWTs in the Kenyan context.

Suggested Citation

  • Kamp, Linda M. & Vanheule, Lynn F.I., 2015. "Review of the small wind turbine sector in Kenya: Status and bottlenecks for growth," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 470-480.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:49:y:2015:i:c:p:470-480
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.082
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    2. David Ockwell & Robert Byrne & Joanes Atela & Victoria Chengo & Elsie Onsongo & Jacob Fodio Todd & Victoria Kasprowicz & Adrian Ely, 2021. "Transforming Access to Clean Energy Technologies in the Global South: Learning from Lighting Africa in Kenya," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Fábio Ricardo Procópio de Araújo & Marcio Giannini Pereira & Marcos Aurélio Vasconcelos Freitas & Neilton Fidelis da Silva & Eduardo Janser de Azevedo Dantas, 2021. "Bigger Is Not Always Better: Review of Small Wind in Brazil," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-26, February.
    4. María Elena López Reyes & Willem A. Zwagers & Ingrid J. Mulder, 2020. "Considering the Human-Dimension to Make Sustainable Transitions Actionable," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-25, October.
    5. Lema, Rasmus & Hanlin, Rebecca & Hansen, Ulrich Elmer & Nzila, Charles, 2018. "Renewable electrification and local capability formation: Linkages and interactive learning," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 326-339.
    6. Gabriel, Cle-Anne, 2016. "What is challenging renewable energy entrepreneurs in developing countries?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 362-371.
    7. Carstens, Danielle Denes dos Santos & Cunha, Sieglinde Kindl da, 2019. "Challenges and opportunities for the growth of solar photovoltaic energy in Brazil," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 396-404.
    8. Leary, J. & Czyrnek-Delêtre, M. & Alsop, A. & Eales, A. & Marandin, L. & Org, M. & Craig, M. & Ortiz, W. & Casillas, C. & Persson, J. & Dienst, C. & Brown, E. & While, A. & Cloke, J. & Latoufis, K., 2020. "Finding the niche: A review of market assessment methodologies for rural electrification with small scale wind power," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    9. van Welie, Mara J. & Cherunya, Pauline C. & Truffer, Bernhard & Murphy, James T., 2018. "Analysing transition pathways in developing cities: The case of Nairobi's splintered sanitation regime," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 259-271.
    10. Reinauer, Tobias & Hansen, Ulrich Elmer, 2021. "Determinants of adoption in open-source hardware: A review of small wind turbines," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).

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