The pathway to a sustainable energy future of Sub-Saharan countries: a case study of the implementation of renewable energy technologies in Senegal

Abstract

Many countries in the Sub-Saharan region and especially in West Africa are among the poorest and least developed regions in the world. In particular, the possibility of access to electricity remains one of the biggest challenges of its population despite its enormous potential for renewable technologies. Therefore, this master thesis examines by means of a case study on Senegal, why the implementation of renewable energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa is so slowly evolving and establishes recommendation how the Senegalese government can overcome the barriers of renewable energy implementation by appropriate policy measures and financial incentives. First of all, a country overview with data about the current electricity sector and the legal framework in Senegal is presented. Further, the appropriate technologies regarding its renewable potentials are discussed. Next, the opportunities, barriers and solutions for a successful implementation of renewables are presented. It is found that Senegal has already implemented some policy measures to improve the distribution of electricity and the country’s energy mix. However, the vast opportunities of these innovative technologies can never be harnessed without the appropriate application of certain legal regulations, suitable financial measures and enhanced technological capabilities.