Determining the most important factors for sustainable energy technology selection in Africa

Abstract

The supply of sustainable energy is crucial for sustainable development in Africa. The aim of the study summarised in this paper is the identification, and prioritisation, of the factors that must be taken into account when selecting the most sustainable technological systems in the African context, by applying the Delphi technique. The questionnaire of the first round was based on factors already identified during a focus group exercise with energy experts. The Delphi participants were required to comment on the factors, add new factors, and rate all the factors. The results were fed back during the second round where respondents were again asked to rate the factors for feasibility, desirability, and importance. The outcome is the identification of the most important factors that can be used by decision makers to ensure better selection of sustainable energy technologies and projects. The top five prioritised factors are: Ease of maintenance and support over the life cycle of the technology; Suitable site readily available for pilot studies; Project management; Economic development; and Access to secured suitable sites for deployment.

Die verskaffing van volhoubare energie is van kritiese belang vir die volhoubare ontwikkeling van Afrika. Hierdie studie het gefokus op die identifisering en prioritisering van faktore wat in ag geneem moet word wanneer tegnologiese stelsels vir gebruik in Afrika geselekteer word. Die studie maak gebruik van die Delphi-tegniek. Die vraelys van die eerste rondte is gebaseer op die faktore wat gedurende ’n fokusgroep met energiespesialiste geïdentifiseer is. Deelnemers is gevra om kommentaar te lewer op hierdie faktore, om nuwe faktore by te voeg, en om al die faktore te beoordeel. Die resultate is teruggevoer gedurende die tweede rondte van die Delphi waar deelnemers weereens gevra is om die faktore te beoordeel in terme van uitvoerbaarheid, wenslikheid, en belangrikheid. Die uitkoms is die identifisering van die belangrikste faktore wat deur besluitnemers gebruik kan word om beter seleksie van ’n keuse van volhoubare energietegnologieë en -projekte te verseker. Die vyf belangrikste faktore is: Gemak van instandhouding en ondersteuning oor die lewensiklus van die tegnologie; geskikte liggings beskikbaar vir proefaanlegte; projekbestuur; ekonomiese ontwikkeling; en toegang tot geskikte liggings vir installasie.