Researchers from TRANSrisk partner Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) have developed an interesting paper entitled "A multi-level perspective on geothermal power development in Kenya".
More particularly, the paper explores the geothermal innovation system in Kenya, with a view to understanding how different actors, networks and institutions – and their functions – shape and constrain Kenya’s energy transition pathway. Also, the multi-level perspective is applied in order to understand the innovation journey for geothermal from niche to mainstream technology. Moreover, using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and a review of policy documents, the relation between geothermal and wider electric power supply regime is identified in terms of expectations, networks and learning. The analysis shows that the transition process for geothermal in Kenya has been shaped and constrained by changes in power relations and conflicts among key actors and networks, particularly as a shift occurs from public-led to private-led development. It is also found that landscape factors relating to regional and global markets have affected the direction and pace of geothermal deployment across the investment and programme lifecycles. The paper is based on the TRANSrisk case study in Kenya, more information on which can be found at TRANSrisk report D3.2 Context of 15 case studies: Kenya - Charcoal and Geothermal Sector.
The paper has been presented at the International Sustainability Transitions Conference 2017 (IST2017) and more information is available here.
