Chapter 13 The Quest for Sustainable Energy Democracy in Rural Communities
In: Sustainable Energy Democracy and the LawSearch for other papers by Paul Tamuno in
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Abstract
This chapter undertakes an in-depth analysis of the sustainability of energy democracy in rural communities using Africa as a case study. It argues that energy democracy can only be achieved in political systems that are democratic (characterized by regular free and fair elections and a culture of public participation). States with democratic political systems tend to recognize grassroots communities as stakeholders in the energy sector and give them a voice in national energy decision-making, which can contribute to a more equitable distribution of the burdens and benefits of the energy sector. States with undemocratic political systems tend to centralize decision-making in the energy sector and to discourage grassroots communities’ participation in energy decision-making, thereby inadvertently leaving rural communities with a higher proportion of the burdens and a lower proportion of the benefits of the energy sector. This chapter concludes that lack of transparency and the existence of defective democratic institutions in Africa is a major variable that is likely to be the obstacle to communal participation in energy policy decisions.