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Renewable energy cooperation between the EU and North Africa: Findings of a SWOT analysis

Andreas Beneking (Department of Transdisciplinary Concepts and Methods, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Potsdam, Germany)
Saskia Ellenbeck (Department of Transdisciplinary Concepts and Methods, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Potsdam, Germany)
Antonella Battaglini (Department of Transdisciplinary Concepts and Methods, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Potsdam, Germany)

International Journal of Energy Sector Management

ISSN: 1750-6220

Article publication date: 5 September 2016

885

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

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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