Exploring Energy Justice on Solar Mini-Grid Implementation in Rural Island Communities in Ghana
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Abstract
Energy justice has gained significant attention in the energy-related social sciences and humanities. In the Global South, there have been several works in the energy justice scholarship, but few on exploring energy justice through the implementation of mini-grids in rural communities. In light of this, the study assessed how the implementation of mini-grids in rural island communities in Ghana fared from an energy justice perspective. Empirical data were collected from three island communities in the South-Eastern part of Ghana along the Volta Lake, namely Kudorkope, Atigagome and Wayokope, within three months. The analysis drew from 52 interviews (28 from the field and 24 interviews from renewable energy experts) and secondary data. The findings revealed that the implementation of solar mini-grids in the rural island communities in Ghana had energy justice concerns. These include a lack of access to quality information on the project, unfairness in the consultation and decision-making process, erratic electricity supply, which disrupted their daily activities, particularly economic activities and issues of marginalisation. The study recommends that top-level stakeholders in the renewable energy sector ensure a fair distribution of the costs and benefits of energy transition efforts. This would mitigate the disproportionate impacts of climate change on rural communities and reduce the gap in energy access between rural and urban communities.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Tracy Asamoah-Boateng (Author)
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