TY - JOUR
T1 - African power pools and regional electricity market design
T2 - Taking stock of regional integration in energy sectors
AU - Elabbas, Mohamed A.Eltahir
AU - de Vries, Laurens
AU - Correljé, Aad
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - While the traditional perspective on regional power pools is that of regional electricity markets, regional power pools in Africa are development tools with unrepresentative and under-researched dynamics in their evolution and market design. Five African power pools are under development to bring the continent into a single electricity market. This paper analyses the evolution of African power pools by examining their design factors and dynamics. It compares the three most advanced power pools (SAPP, WAPP and EAPP) to identify barriers, forces, and development approaches. The paper devises a multilayer analytical framework to organise the various elements in the institutional context of African power pools and structure the analysis of the physical, economic, institutional and political factors. The analysis shows that the unequal distribution of natural energy endowments across the regions stimulated the historical development of interconnections and trade between countries. The characteristics of regional integration were vital in shaping the power pool's institutions and development approaches. We have identified three motors of change that have driven the development; regional economic communities, members’ strategies, and international institutions. It is crucial for progress that the pool staff can mitigate non-cooperative strategies, address members’ concerns, and incentivise a shift in national agendas to build confidence in regional trade.
AB - While the traditional perspective on regional power pools is that of regional electricity markets, regional power pools in Africa are development tools with unrepresentative and under-researched dynamics in their evolution and market design. Five African power pools are under development to bring the continent into a single electricity market. This paper analyses the evolution of African power pools by examining their design factors and dynamics. It compares the three most advanced power pools (SAPP, WAPP and EAPP) to identify barriers, forces, and development approaches. The paper devises a multilayer analytical framework to organise the various elements in the institutional context of African power pools and structure the analysis of the physical, economic, institutional and political factors. The analysis shows that the unequal distribution of natural energy endowments across the regions stimulated the historical development of interconnections and trade between countries. The characteristics of regional integration were vital in shaping the power pool's institutions and development approaches. We have identified three motors of change that have driven the development; regional economic communities, members’ strategies, and international institutions. It is crucial for progress that the pool staff can mitigate non-cooperative strategies, address members’ concerns, and incentivise a shift in national agendas to build confidence in regional trade.
KW - African power pools
KW - Comparative case study
KW - Market design
KW - Power sector reforms
KW - Regional electricity market
KW - Regional integration
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85171891698&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.erss.2023.103291
DO - 10.1016/j.erss.2023.103291
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85171891698
SN - 2214-6296
VL - 105
JO - Energy Research and Social Science
JF - Energy Research and Social Science
M1 - 103291
ER -