WHY RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS FAIL OR SUCCEED? DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OFENERGY ASSISTANCE PROJECTS IN CAMBODIA AND LAO PDR (DREAM)

Research summary

The DREAM project aimed to (i) develop multi-disciplinary methodology to analyse renewable energy projects design, implementation, finance and influence on communities; (ii) build up knowledge on the various positive and negative impacts the renewable energy projects have especially at the village level; (iii) improve understanding of qualifications, such as success factors and reasons for failures, of renewable energy projects and; (iv) identify concrete means to increase long-term sustainability of donor-driven energy projects.

Description

The research was done as a comparative case study analysis of eight donor-driven renewable energy projects implemented in Cambodia and Lao PDR. The research materials consisted of project documents, interviews, and ethnographic methods used in the case study villages. Integrated impact assessment framework was used to give emphasis on the cross-sectoral impacts of energy decisions and long time scale related to the energy systems.
The project improved the understanding of reasons why energy projects fail, and means to develop the planning and implementation of future renewable energy projects. The overall aim was to help the transition towards increasing sustainable use of renewable energy in developing countries. It also developed a multi-disciplinary methodology needed for assessing the impacts of projects and designing environmentally benign projects that would generate continued benefits for local communities. The research aimed at providing improved understanding for donors and development organizations working in the sector.

Research info

Research title
WHY RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS FAIL OR SUCCEED? DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OFENERGY ASSISTANCE PROJECTS IN CAMBODIA AND LAO PDR (DREAM)

Research timeline
1.1.2009 - 1.12.2012

Keywords
renewable energy sustainable development.

Region
Asia

Countries
Cambodia, Finland, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Institution
University of Turku (FFRC)
Turku School of Economics
Turku, Finland

Funding instrument
Academy of Finland

Project budget
200,000 - 500,000 euros

Head of research
Jyrki Luukkanen

Research team
Jyrki Luukkanen (FFRC), Mira Käkönen (FFRC), Hanna Kaisti (FFRC), Mika Korkeakoski (FFRC), Ronny Om (ITC), Khampone Nanthavong (NUOL)

Partners
Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC): Cambodia, National University of Laos (NUOL): Lao PDR, Lao Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE): Lao PDR, Technology Research Institute: Laos, Mekong Programme on Water, Environment and Resilience (M-POWER), Mekong Energy and Climate Network (MECN)

Contact information
Jyrki Luukkanen
+358 50 3370 710
jyrki.luukkanen@utu.fi
Open link

Record last updated
21.5.2015