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Technology development in South Africa: the case of wind and solar PV

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posted on 2023-06-09, 01:03 authored by Lucy Baker
This paper examines the political economy of technology development in the context of South Africa’s emerging utility-scale, privately generated renewable energy sector. Focussing on the wind and solar PV industries, the paper explores how international dynamics in manufacturing, investment and trade that involve increasingly global industries, are interacting with territorial factors embedded within South Africa’s unique economic, social and political context. While South Africa’s renewable energy industry has been celebrated internationally, there are tensions between commercial priorities, and requirements for economic development including local content. The paper merges perspectives from global production networks and the literature on technological innovation in low and middle income countries in order to analyse the potential for the development of innovative capabilities in South Africa’s renewable energy sector. The paper provides rich empirical content including challenges to the definition and implementation of local content requirements, as well as the involvement of key national and international actors.

Funding

The Rising Powers, Clean Development and the transition to low carbon energy systems in sub-Saharan Africa; G0966; ESRC-ECONOMIC & SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; RF150253

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Publisher

SPRU

Pages

28.0

Place of publication

Sussex

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Institution

University of Sussex

Full text available

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-04-27

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2016-04-27

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-04-27

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