The role of community energy in mediating sustainable energy transitions in East and Southern Eastern Africa

Abstract

Community energy projects, actively governed and managed by community members, play an essential role in advancing just energy transitions, for example, by providing energy in remote areas, facilitating the adoption of renewable technologies, and building resilient electricity networks. However, their adoption remains limited. How does community energy work in practice, and how can it become more widespread? This article presents a study of community energy in three countries: Ethiopia, Malawi, and Mozambique. A multi-methods analysis (project inventories, qualitative interviewing, surveys) suggests that the political economy of development and material challenges, such as financing and supply chains, constrain the expansion of community energy. A survey of community energy beneficiaries demonstrates the tangible benefits these projects bring to disadvantaged communities. Concessional grants that recognise the social value of community energy can facilitate its development and support new energy models for a just energy transition.