A framework for technology cooperation to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in Pacific Island Countries. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taibi, Emanuele; Gualberti, Giorgio; Bazilian, Morgan; Gielen, Dolf
• Is Part Of: Energy policy. Volume 98(2016)
• Page Start: 778
• Page End: 790
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Pacific Island Countries -- Renewable energy -- Technology transfer -- Development cooperation; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Politique énergétique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2016.03.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4215

Abstract

Abstract: When considering renewable energy, Pacific Island Countries (PICs) focus on energy security and affordability as primary benefits. In Melanesia, access to modern energy services represents a major unfinished agenda. To that end, Pacific Energy Ministers have endorsed the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific (FAESP) in April 2011. The associated implementation plan (IPESP) was developed, however never formally endorsed. PICs have instead taken a pathway towards national energy transition roadmaps. This paper describes the current status of the energy sector in PICs, the main challenges and the barriers to the deployment of renewable energy and the role of international cooperation in accelerating deployment. In the context of this analysis, technology cooperation is treated as the sum of cooperation on "orgware", software and hardware. These three dimensions are explored in the context of the Pacific energy sector, looking at how development finance (DF) is currently distributed among them. Looking at the key barriers identified and the areas where DF has been focused to date, this paper proposes a framework for removal of barriers to the deployment of renewable energy in the Pacific through more focused use of DF and technical cooperation. The framework identifies key goals, actors, activities, resources necessary and indicators to monitor progress. Highlights: We analyse the energy sector of Pacific Island Countries (PICs). We assess current development finance practices for the energy sector of PICs. We develop a new framework to orient technical cooperation for energy in PICs.