Barriers to energy transition: A case of Botswana

Abstract

Low carbon development involves profound changes in existing countries' governing structures. Recent studies have shown that significant benefits to low carbon development in developing countries can be achieved from energy sector transitions. This paper argues that energy transition in Botswana which involves reduction of dependence on coal-generated electricity and increase in the uptake of solar energy can only be achieved through regime-based reconfigurations driven by deliberate government action and political will. It draws on energy transition literature to examine whether existing policy instruments can drive the desired transition. Through indepth qualitative analysis, it identifies barriers that impede transition attempts to date. As an effort to overcome regime level barriers in particular, the paper proposes several low-cost changes in the existing electricity regime to facilitate a wider energy sector transformation.