Renewable energy cooperation between the EU and North Africa: Findings of a SWOT analysis
International Journal of Energy Sector Management
ISSN: 1750-6220
Article publication date: 5 September 2016
Abstract
Purpose
Following the issuance of the Renewable Energy Directive in 2009, the European Union (EU) is explicitly pushing for member states to cooperate with third countries to meet their EU 2020 targets. So far, no single joint project is planned or in place yet. This paper aims to look at the opportunities for and barriers to possible RE exports from North Africa into the EU through the concept of a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
Thus, the SWOT for a possible implementation of Article 9 projects are analyzed using expert and stakeholder knowledge. A qualitative assessment was undertaken using data collected through one stakeholder workshop in North Africa, in-depth interviews and a qualitative literature review. The analysis was structured within a three-tier analyzing concept distinguishing between macro, micro and acceptance parameters.
Findings
From the SWOT analysis, some lessons are drawn, future possible measures are identified and conclusions for policymakers are discussed. The authors find that no easy solutions exist as most parameters can be both a strength and a weakness or a threat and an opportunity at the same time depending on future developments and the specific ideological perspective.
Originality/value
This paper provides new information and analysis of renewable energy sources projects in North Africa – application of the SWOT method on Article 9 cooperation projects – application of a three-tier analysis to cope with the complexity of the topic – taking into account often neglected socio-political aspects such as public acceptance.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This article is based on a study that was funded by the European Commission through the Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) research project “Bringing Europe and Third countries closer together through renewable Energies (BETTER)”. The authors wish to thank the BETTER-team as well as Andrzej Ceglarz and three anonymous reviewers for their valuable feedback.
Citation
Beneking, A., Ellenbeck, S. and Battaglini, A. (2016), "Renewable energy cooperation between the EU and North Africa: Findings of a SWOT analysis", International Journal of Energy Sector Management, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 312-336. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJESM-11-2014-0005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited