IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2024i2p342-d1316104.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Modelling Policy Pathways to Maximise Renewable Energy Growth and Investment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Using OSeMOSYS (Open Source Energy Modelling System)

Author

Listed:
  • Jacob Dalder

    (Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK)

  • Gbemi Oluleye

    (Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK)

  • Carla Cannone

    (Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
    STEER Centre, Department of Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

  • Rudolf Yeganyan

    (Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
    STEER Centre, Department of Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

  • Naomi Tan

    (Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
    STEER Centre, Department of Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

  • Mark Howells

    (Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
    STEER Centre, Department of Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

Abstract

This study sought to generate, evaluate, and recommend possible national policies for the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to implement to most effectively boost growth and investment in renewable energy technologies (RETs) through 2065 using Open Source Energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS). The novelty of this study stems in-part from the scarcity of RET modelling completed for specific West African countries rather than for broader regions. Market-based instruments were identified as the policy type most practical for DRC. From modelling the resulting energy systems for policy pathways involving a 16% RET subsidy, a 70% fossil fuel tax, and both in combination relative to no-policy baseline scenarios, the scenarios including the tax had the lowest net costs (USD304–306 B) and the highest proportion of RETs (above 90%). Additionally, despite the current reliance on hydropower to fulfil 98% of its energy needs, hydropower played a very minor role in all of a modelled scenarios (no future investment beyond residual capacity). Finally, a post-modelling market potential assessment was performed on the technology that dominated off-grid supply across policy pathways: a 0.3 kW small solar home system (SHS). Based on learning rates for solar photovoltaics (PV), demand for a small SHS in DRC (>160 million units in total) was found to be sufficient to substantially reduce the unit cost as deployment scales. Ultimately, this study yielded four recommendations for the DRC government: (1) Pursue financial incentives to catalyse DRC’s renewable energy supply. (2) Tax fossil fuel energy production. (3) Re-evaluate focus on hydropower. (4) Promote DRC as a healthy market for solar home systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacob Dalder & Gbemi Oluleye & Carla Cannone & Rudolf Yeganyan & Naomi Tan & Mark Howells, 2024. "Modelling Policy Pathways to Maximise Renewable Energy Growth and Investment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Using OSeMOSYS (Open Source Energy Modelling System)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-27, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:2:p:342-:d:1316104
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/2/342/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/2/342/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yeseul Kim & Dong-Eun Rhee, 2019. "Do Stringent Environmental Regulations Attract Foreign Direct Investment in Developing Countries? Evidence on the “Race to the Top” from Cross-Country Panel Data," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(12), pages 2796-2808, September.
    2. Oluleye, Gbemi & Gandiglio, Marta & Santarelli, Massimo & Hawkes, Adam, 2021. "Pathways to commercialisation of biogas fuelled solid oxide fuel cells in European wastewater treatment plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).
    3. Liu, Wenfeng & Zhang, Xingping & Feng, Sida, 2019. "Does renewable energy policy work? Evidence from a panel data analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 635-642.
    4. Churchill Agutu & Florian Egli & Nathaniel J. Williams & Tobias S. Schmidt & Bjarne Steffen, 2022. "Accounting for finance in electrification models for sub-Saharan Africa," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(7), pages 631-641, July.
    5. Senshaw, Dereje Azemraw & Kim, Jeong Won, 2018. "Meeting conditional targets in nationally determined contributions of developing countries: Renewable energy targets and required investment of GGGI member and partner countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 433-443.
    6. Ioannis Pappis & Andreas Sahlberg & Tewodros Walle & Oliver Broad & Elusiyan Eludoyin & Mark Howells & Will Usher, 2021. "Influence of Electrification Pathways in the Electricity Sector of Ethiopia—Policy Implications Linking Spatial Electrification Analysis and Medium to Long-Term Energy Planning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-36, February.
    7. Rady, Yassin Yehia & Rocco, Matteo V. & Serag-Eldin, M.A. & Colombo, Emanuela, 2018. "Modelling for power generation sector in Developing Countries: Case of Egypt," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PB), pages 198-209.
    8. Yang, Suyeon & Park, Sangchan, 2020. "The effects of renewable energy financial incentive policy and democratic governance on renewable energy aid effectiveness," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    9. Jakob Skovgaard & Harro van Asselt, 2019. "The politics of fossil fuel subsidies and their reform: Implications for climate change mitigation," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(4), July.
    10. World Bank, 2020. "Increasing Access to Electricity in the Democratic Republic of Congo [Accéder à l’électricité en République Démocratique du Congo]," World Bank Publications - Reports 33593, The World Bank Group.
    11. Joeri Rogelj & Alexander Popp & Katherine V. Calvin & Gunnar Luderer & Johannes Emmerling & David Gernaat & Shinichiro Fujimori & Jessica Strefler & Tomoko Hasegawa & Giacomo Marangoni & Volker Krey &, 2018. "Scenarios towards limiting global mean temperature increase below 1.5 °C," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(4), pages 325-332, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jeong Won Kim & Jae-Seung Lee, 2021. "Greening Energy Finance of Multilateral Development Banks: Review of the World Bank’s Energy Project Investment (1985–2019)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-23, May.
    2. Guo, Jiaqi & Wang, Qiang & Li, Rongrong, 2024. "Can official development assistance promote renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa countries? A matter of institutional transparency of recipient countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    3. Jan K. Kazak & Joanna A. Kamińska & Rafał Madej & Marta Bochenkiewicz, 2020. "Where Renewable Energy Sources Funds are Invested? Spatial Analysis of Energy Production Potential and Public Support," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-26, October.
    4. Li-chen Zhang & Zheng-ai Dong & Zhi-xiong Tan & Jia-hui Luo & De-kui Yan, 2024. "Institutional Performance and Carbon Reduction Effect of High-Quality Development of New Energy: China’s Experience and Policy Implication," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-26, August.
    5. Chao Wang & Chuyan Shan & Lidong Wang, 2024. "Stranded Asset Impairment Estimates of Thermal Power Companies Under Low-Carbon Transition Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-14, October.
    6. Kate Dooley & Ellycia Harrould‐Kolieb & Anita Talberg, 2021. "Carbon‐dioxide Removal and Biodiversity: A Threat Identification Framework," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S1), pages 34-44, April.
    7. Elke Stehfest & Willem-Jan Zeist & Hugo Valin & Petr Havlik & Alexander Popp & Page Kyle & Andrzej Tabeau & Daniel Mason-D’Croz & Tomoko Hasegawa & Benjamin L. Bodirsky & Katherine Calvin & Jonathan C, 2019. "Key determinants of global land-use projections," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    8. Chen, Hao & Gao, Xin-Ya & Liu, Jian-Yu & Zhang, Qian & Yu, Shiwei & Kang, Jia-Ning & Yan, Rui & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2020. "The grid parity analysis of onshore wind power in China: A system cost perspective," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 22-30.
    9. Sergio Coronas & Jordi de la Hoz & Àlex Alonso & Helena Martín, 2022. "23 Years of Development of the Solar Power Generation Sector in Spain: A Comprehensive Review of the Period 1998–2020 from a Regulatory Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-53, February.
    10. Chepeliev, Maksym & Diachuk, Oleksandr & Podolets, Roman & Trypolska, Galyna, 2021. "The role of bioenergy in Ukraine's climate mitigation policy by 2050," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    11. Talan, Amogh & Rao, Amar & Sharma, Gagan Deep & Apostu, Simona-Andreea & Abbas, Shujaat, 2023. "Transition towards clean energy consumption in G7: Can financial sector, ICT and democracy help?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    12. Ángel Galán-Martín & Daniel Vázquez & Selene Cobo & Niall Dowell & José Antonio Caballero & Gonzalo Guillén-Gosálbez, 2021. "Delaying carbon dioxide removal in the European Union puts climate targets at risk," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    13. Müller-Hansen, Finn & Lee, Yuan Ting & Callaghan, Max & Jankin, Slava & Minx, Jan C., 2022. "The German coal debate on Twitter: Reactions to a corporate policy process," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    14. Hu, Xing & Yu, Shiwei & Fang, Xu & Ovaere, Marten, 2023. "Which combinations of renewable energy policies work better? Insights from policy text synergies in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(PA).
    15. Brumana, Giovanni & Franchini, Giuseppe & Ghirardi, Elisa & Perdichizzi, Antonio, 2022. "Techno-economic optimization of hybrid power generation systems: A renewables community case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    16. Aui, Alvina & Wang, Yu, 2022. "Post-RFS supports for cellulosic ethanol: Evaluation of economic and environmental impacts of alternative policies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    17. Bergholt, Drago & Røisland, Øistein & Sveen, Tommy & Torvik, Ragnar, 2023. "Monetary policy when export revenues drop," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    18. Soleimanpour, Mohammad & Ebrahimi, Masood, 2024. "Energy and exergy analysis of dry and steam external reformers for a power cycle based on biogas-fueled solid oxide fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    19. Christian Elliott & Steven Bernstein & Matthew Hoffmann, 2022. "Credibility dilemmas under the Paris agreement: explaining fossil fuel subsidy reform references in INDCs," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 735-759, December.
    20. Merheb, Caroline, 2024. "Why should imminent international funds for solar photovoltaics go to families and the private sector and not to the government to stop the electricity crisis in Lebanon?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:2:p:342-:d:1316104. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.