TENTRANS

Auctions for renewable energy support allocation are on a triumphant global advance. We compare performance of renewable energy auctions in terms of effectiveness (realisation rate and period) and efficiency (price outcomes) from two world regions: South Africa and European countries (Germany, France, the Netherlands). We develop an assessment framework for compliance incentivisation in auction design, covering qualification criteria, penalties, and […]

We are observing a significant increase in the deployment of large scale solar and wind technologies in the global south, and it is therefore a strategically and academically important focus of inquiry to understand context-specific spaces for locally-embedded actors to initiate energy transitions. This paper examines the linkages between the energy transition and economic development, and has attempted to do […]

While services are an essential element in the global production, trade and consumption of manufactured goods, limited research has been conducted on the role of services in studies of global value chains (GVCs). Recently, however, an emerging literature on the ‘servicification’ of manufacturing in GVCs has evolved, most of which involves aggregate-level analyses of countries and sectors based on trade […]

This article utilises a GVC analytic framework to analyse the wind energy value chain in South Africa and its impact on localisation of goods and services. Its theoretical contribution highlights governance as dependent on system integration dynamics, with lead firms operating as system integrators. The empirical analysis focuses on the interplay between energy and industrial policy showing how policy failure, […]

Renewable energy companies increasingly employ community engagement professionals tasked with facilitating dialogue and collaborative activities with communities in project areas. Situated at the interface between corporate renewable energy production and community needs and grievances, these practitioners occupy a potentially significant position in the everyday implementation of socially just energy transitions. In this article we contribute to the understanding of corporate […]

One longstanding strand of research in the development studies literature has concerned itself with the development of innovation capabilities in developing-country firms. As most of this literature focuses on domestic firms, foreign-owned firms, such as subsidiaries of multinational companies (MNC), have received much less attention. In this paper, we address this knowledge gap by conducting an in-depth study exploring the […]

Competitive bidding programmes, or auctions, are becoming the dominant method for procuring utility-scale renewable energy generation capacity and have coincided with significant cost reductions of renewable energy (RE) technologies. The use of price in auctions as the main awarding criterion has been criticized for apparently leading to market concentration and dominance in project ownership. We investigate: to what extent South […]

The increasing investment in renewable energy (RE) in Africa has been accompanied by the establishment of a number of local RE component-manufacturing facilities across various African countries. The local manufacture of RE components presents an interesting opportunity for achieving sustainable industrialization in Africa. However, limited research has been devoted to analysing the factors enabling and impeding the localization of RE […]

Given the increasing cost-competiveness of renewable energy (RE) technologies, competitive auction schemes have increasingly been adopted in recent years across various developed and developing countries. Local content requirements (LCRs) are frequently used as part of RE auction schemes to promote local industrial development. In this paper, we present a review of the literature on the effectiveness of LCRs in fostering […]

This paper utilises a combination of a political economy approach and a GVC framework to analyse the dynamics of the wind energy value chain in South Africa. The paper focuses on the complex intertwined interplay between energy and industrial policy and shows how they negatively impacted on efforts to increase localisation of domestic manufacturing and services industries. It discusses the […]

Given the increasing cost-competiveness of renewable energy (RE) technologies, competitive auction schemes have increasingly been adopted in recent years across various developed and developing countries. Local content requirements(LCRs) are frequently used as part of RE auction schemes to promote local industrial development. In this paper, we present a review of the literature on the effectiveness of LCRs in fostering local […]

Three Tentrans researchers are presenting at the annual Windaba Conference in South Africa in October 2020. Wikus Krueger will make a presentation titled: ‘Renewables energy auctions- global lessons’. Glen Robbins’s presentation forms part of the panel on Local Supply Chain Development and is titled: ‘Lessons from localisation failures of the past decade. And Holle Wlokas is participating on the panel […]

As the largest and first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, REIPPPP offers valuable academic and policy-relevant insights for other countries across the continent and globally that are in the process of designing and adopting similar RE tendering schemes. In particular, important insights can be obtained from studying whether and how REIPPPP has fostered broader developmental objectives. Programme: 9h00 to […]

Renewable energies are a key component in global efforts to address climate change. Around the world, companies and governments are developing wind and solar projects, as well as other renewable energy schemes at an increasing pace. However, while greenhouse gas mitigation is a strong driver for these investments, large-scale renewable energy projects do not automatically benefit everyone, and are not […]

As the development of large-scale wind- and solar projects gathers pace around the world, renewable energy companies are increasingly confronted with demands to engage with local communities in the planning and implementation of their projects. In order to address such expectations, renewable energy companies increasingly employ professionals to facilitate dialogue and collaboration with communities. These practitioners occupy a potentially significant […]

As the global transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy gathers pace, it is becoming clear that unlocking sustainable economic, industrial, environmental and social development along with the green transition requires more than just financial investments. The development of large-scale renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar power, increasingly involves large multinational companies operating as project developers, investors […]

Around the world, companies and governments are developing wind and solar projects, as well as other renewable energy schemes at an increasing pace. However, while greenhouse gas mitigation and energy security are strong drivers for these investments, large-scale renewable energy projects do not automatically benefit everyone, and are not necessarily welcomed by all. In a number of countries – including […]

Public procurement of renewable energy systems in South Africa has seen intense changes in recent years. One of the aims of these changes has been to make sure that production of solar and wind energy contributes to the development of local industry and local communities. “Prices for renewable energy has been dropping at a steady rate in South Africa, but […]