Photo: Thabang Nkwanyana © iceeimage

Exploring renewables to foster gendered energy transitions: a case of Mozambican urban households

Session 12

Authors: Adélia Chicombo (Africa Sustainable Energy Transitions), Josephine Musango (Africa Sustainable Energy Transitions)

Keywords: Energy Transition, Renewable Energy, Gender and Urban Households

Session 12: Exploring the Role of Renewables in Making of African Cities

Thursday October 24, 15:30–17:00, Far West Studio, John Moffat Building

Exploring Renewables to Foster Gendered Energy Transitions: A Case of Mozambican Urban Households

Abstract

The depletion of fossil fuels and the adverse implications of climate change, especially for least developed countries, demands a global and location-specific response. Moreover, most least developed countries are in sub-Saharan Africa and lack access to clean energy sources. So, renewable energy possesses an integrative solution. Besides, the rapid population growth in sub-Saharan Africa and rural exodus challenge municipalities to deliver clean energy to their inhabitants. This study focuses on Mozambique, a sub-Saharan country with ideal geographical conditions and abundant renewable energy. However, renewable energy production and distribution are still underexplored. Despite the existence of private initiatives, the government’s focus on renewable energy has been limited to rural areas for a long time. As of 2021, the government only recently advocated renewable energy production and distribution in cities. Due to its infant stage, exploring the venues to expedite its adoption is pivotal, not just to deliver clean energy sources but to investigate its potential to address the gendered-based issues in energy access. This study aims to: (i) evaluate the leverage intervention points for renewable energy transition to address gendered issues in energy access in the household domain; and (ii) propose policy interventions to mainstream renewable energy to address gender and energy nexus. The objectives are addressed through a literature review, exploratory interviews and systems thinking. The results revealed that renewable energy consumption in urban areas is nearly nonexistent. Government intervention is pivotal for the renewable energy transition. Future research needs to examine energy literacy as a tool for renewable energy transition, considering the energy services and resources for household wellbeing.