IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i12p5060-d1414607.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Quest for Resilient Sustainable Development and Low-Carbon Energy Transitions: Investigating the Challenges and Success Factors for Mini-Grids in Malawi

Author

Listed:
  • Vincent Mwale

    (Energy Systems Department, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu Private Bag 201, Malawi)

  • Richard Blanchard

    (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK)

  • Tiyamike Ngonda

    (Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa)

  • Richard Nkhoma

    (Department of Engineering, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe P.O. Box 5196, Malawi)

  • Chukwudi Ogunna

    (Centre for Sustainable Transitions: Energy Environment and Resilience (STEER), Geography and Environment, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK)

  • Long Seng To

    (Centre for Sustainable Transitions: Energy Environment and Resilience (STEER), Geography and Environment, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK)

Abstract

Renewable energy mini-grids are considered a cost-effective way to provide electricity for a large proportion of the population in developing countries who do not have access to it. Compared with standalone home systems and national grid systems, mini-grids can potentially offer a better service. They can be deployed faster, making them essential for sustainable development, especially in rural and semi-urban areas of developing countries. However, mini-grids often face challenges regarding their resilience, and many fail to survive beyond their pilot phases. This paper aims to identify the factors contributing to the success of mini-grids and to identify common themes that can help existing and future mini-grid developments become more resilient and influence policy decision making. To achieve this goal, we developed a database of the status of mini-grids in Malawi, with the energy generation resource(s) of their installed capacity, enabling factors, and challenges. We undertook a more detailed investigation of two hydro mini-grid systems—Bondo and Chipopoma. We collected qualitative and quantitative data through literature reviews, site visits, interviews, and observations. The study identified 19 mini-grids with a combined installed capacity of 26 MW. Of these, seven had been abandoned, and one was under development. Several factors that affect successful mini-grid efficacy in Malawi were identified, including financial resourcefulness, technical resourcefulness, policies and regulations, community engagement and capacity building, cross-sector linkages, and institutional organisational frameworks. These factors need to be integrated into decision making by all stakeholders to ensure the enhancement of resilience and the sustainable development of mini-grids.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincent Mwale & Richard Blanchard & Tiyamike Ngonda & Richard Nkhoma & Chukwudi Ogunna & Long Seng To, 2024. "The Quest for Resilient Sustainable Development and Low-Carbon Energy Transitions: Investigating the Challenges and Success Factors for Mini-Grids in Malawi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:12:p:5060-:d:1414607
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/12/5060/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/12/5060/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhao, Zhen-Yu & Zuo, Jian & Zillante, George & Wang, Xin-Wei, 2010. "Critical success factors for BOT electric power projects in China: Thermal power versus wind power," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 1283-1291.
    2. Giuseppina Siciliano & Linda Wallbott & Frauke Urban & Anh Nguyen Dang & Markus Lederer, 2021. "Low‐carbon energy, sustainable development, and justice: Towards a just energy transition for the society and the environment," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(6), pages 1049-1061, November.
    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. Liao, Zhongju, 2016. "The evolution of wind energy policies in China (1995–2014): An analysis based on policy instruments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 464-472.
    2. Maqbool, Rashid, 2018. "Efficiency and effectiveness of factors affecting renewable energy projects; an empirical perspective," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 944-956.
    3. Yuan, Xueliang & Zuo, Jian & Ma, Chunyuan, 2011. "Social acceptance of solar energy technologies in China--End users' perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 1031-1036, March.
    4. Lih-Ren Liu & Yuh-Ming Lee, 2016. "Remedial Measures for Erroneous Environmental Policies: Assessing Infrastructure Projects of Waste-to-Energy Incineration in Taiwan with a Case Study of the Taitung Incinerator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Liu, Yang & Dong, Xiucheng & Dong, Kangyin, 2023. "Pathway to prosperity? The impact of low-carbon energy transition on China's common prosperity," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    6. Zhao, Zhen-Yu & Zuo, Jian & Fan, Lei-Lei & Zillante, George, 2011. "Impacts of renewable energy regulations on the structure of power generation in China – A critical analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 24-30.
    7. Hussain, Shahid & Xuetong, Wang & Maqbool, Rashid & Hussain, Mustansar & Shahnawaz, Muhammad, 2022. "The influence of government support, organizational innovativeness and community participation in renewable energy project success: A case of Pakistan," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PC).
    8. Moon, Sungho & Kim, Youngwoo & Kim, Minsang & Lee, Jongsu, 2023. "Policy designs to increase public and local acceptance for energy transition in South Korea," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    9. Yu Zeng & Weidong Chen, 2019. "The Determination of Concession Period for Build-Operate-Transfer Solar Photovoltaic Power Project under Policy Incentives: A Case Study of China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-23, September.
    10. Bowen Tang & Yuanzhang Sun & Nan Zhou & Bo Shen, 2019. "Sustainable Development of Power Retailers and Industrial Parks in China’s Belt and Road Initiative," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-19, September.
    11. Gazmend Amaxhekaj & Driton Qehaja & Atdhetar Gara, 2024. "The Role of Institutions in Energy Transition and Economic Growth in West Balkan Countries," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 3, pages 18-45.
    12. Rashid Maqbool & Yahya Rashid & Saleha Ashfaq, 2022. "Renewable energy project success: Internal versus external stakeholders' satisfaction and influences of power‐interest matrix," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(6), pages 1542-1561, December.
    13. Chou, Jui-Sheng & Ping Tserng, H. & Lin, Chieh & Yeh, Chun-Pin, 2012. "Critical factors and risk allocation for PPP policy: Comparison between HSR and general infrastructure projects," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 36-48.
    14. Shi, Qian & Yu, Tao & Zuo, Jian, 2015. "What leads to low-carbon buildings? A China study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 726-734.
    15. Qin, Yong & Xu, Zeshui & Luo, Chaoguang & Skare, Marinko, 2024. "Investigating the nexus among resource curse, energy transition and sustainable development: Evidence from a global panel data," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    16. Nur, Suardi & Burton, Bruce & Bergmann, Ariel, 2023. "Evidence on optimal risk allocation models for Indonesian geothermal projects under PPP contracts," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    17. Shiying Shi & Heap-Yih Chong & Lihong Liu & Xiaosu Ye, 2016. "Examining the Interrelationship among Critical Success Factors of Public Private Partnership Infrastructure Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-20, December.
    18. Wu, Yunna & Luo, Wei & Bian, Qing, 2012. "The research on performance management for new energy project oriented company based on information system in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4370-4378.
    19. Wang, Xueyang & Sun, Xiumei & Ahmad, Mahmood & Chen, Jiawei, 2024. "Energy transition, ecological governance, globalization, and environmental sustainability: Insights from the top ten emitting countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    20. Rasool, Samma Faiz & Chin, Tachia & Wang, Mansi & Asghar, Ali & Khan, Anwar & Zhou, Li, 2022. "Exploring the role of organizational support, and critical success factors on renewable energy projects of Pakistan," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(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:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:12:p:5060-:d:1414607. 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.