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Ethiopia׳s emerging domestic biogas sector: Current status, bottlenecks and drivers

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  • Kamp, Linda Manon
  • Bermúdez Forn, Esteban

Abstract

Ethiopia experiences an energy and environmental crisis due to the sustained reliance on woody biomass to satisfy its energy needs. This situation could be improved by using biogas. This paper analyses the current status of the domestic biogas sector in Ethiopia and identifies barriers and drivers that influence its development and further growth. The analytical framework used for the analysis combines the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) and Strategic Niche Management (SNM). The information sources are: desk study through literature and internet research, online interviews and questionnaires with Ethiopian stakeholders, and an extensive field study including a large number of interviews with stakeholders inside and outside Ethiopia. The biogas sector in Ethiopia started with the launch of the National Domestic Biogas (NBPE) programme in 2008, which has led to the dissemination of over 8000 biodigesters so far, about 60% of what was initially intended. The use of domestic biogas has been triggered by the energy crisis in Ethiopia and the suitability of the technology with the physical geography. However, the dissemination has been affected by factors such as economic instability, poverty and illiteracy. Also, many Ethiopian farmers are trapped in a lock-in, where due to their limited purchasing power they cannot afford the niche technology; at least in the way it is being disseminated. Within the emerging biogas sector, the NBPE designated a diverse set of actors to contribute to the implementation of the niche technology. However, their alignment is poor and the private sector is not involved. Expectations have had to be lowered because targets were not met. Also, learning processes are not optimal. The paper is innovative because it provides an up-to-date review of status of and bottlenecks and drivers in the biogas sector in Ethiopia and it provides more insight in the applicability of the SNM and MLP frameworks to a sustainable innovation in a developing country.

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  • Kamp, Linda Manon & Bermúdez Forn, Esteban, 2016. "Ethiopia׳s emerging domestic biogas sector: Current status, bottlenecks and drivers," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 475-488.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:60:y:2016:i:c:p:475-488
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.01.068
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    1. Huang, Xianlei & Wang, Shu & Shi, Zuliang & Fang, Linna & Yin, Changbin, 2022. "Challenges and strategies for biogas production in the circular agricultural waste utilization model: A case study in rural China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    2. Ricardo Situmeang & Jana Mazancová & Hynek Roubík, 2022. "Technological, Economic, Social and Environmental Barriers to Adoption of Small-Scale Biogas Plants: Case of Indonesia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Kasinath, Archana & Fudala-Ksiazek, Sylwia & Szopinska, Malgorzata & Bylinski, Hubert & Artichowicz, Wojciech & Remiszewska-Skwarek, Anna & Luczkiewicz, Aneta, 2021. "Biomass in biogas production: Pretreatment and codigestion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    4. 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.
    5. Ortt, J. Roland & Kamp, Linda M., 2022. "A technological innovation system framework to formulate niche introduction strategies for companies prior to large-scale diffusion," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    6. Wassie, Yibeltal T. & Adaramola, Muyiwa S., 2019. "Potential environmental impacts of small-scale renewable energy technologies in East Africa: A systematic review of the evidence," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 377-391.
    7. Matos, Stelvia & Viardot, Eric & Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Geels, Frank W. & Xiong, Yu, 2022. "Innovation and climate change: A review and introduction to the special issue," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    8. Shane, Agabu & Gheewala, Shabbir H. & Phiri, Seveliano, 2017. "Rural domestic biogas supply model for Zambia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 683-697.
    9. Kelebe, Haftu Etsay & Ayimut, Kiros Meles & Berhe, Gebresilasse Hailu & Hintsa, Kidane, 2017. "Determinants for adoption decision of small scale biogas technology by rural households in Tigray, Ethiopia," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 272-278.
    10. Khidr, Kareem I. & Eldrainy, Yehia A. & EL-Kassaby, Mohamed M., 2017. "Towards lower gas turbine emissions: Flameless distributed combustion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 1237-1266.
    11. Stolecka, Katarzyna & Rusin, Andrzej, 2021. "Potential hazards posed by biogas plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    12. Kimball C. Chen & Matthew Leach & Mairi J. Black & Meron Tesfamichael & Francis Kemausuor & Patrick Littlewood & Terry Marker & Onesmus Mwabonje & Yacob Mulugetta & Richard J. Murphy & Rocio Diaz-Chav, 2021. "BioLPG for Clean Cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Present and Future Feasibility of Technologies, Feedstocks, Enabling Conditions and Financing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-22, June.
    13. Strazzabosco, A. & Conrad, S.A. & Lant, P.A. & Kenway, S.J., 2020. "Expert opinion on influential factors driving renewable energy adoption in the water industry," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 754-765.

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