Haasdijk, Carmen (2023) Shaping Solar Horizons: Exploring Policy and Expert Envisioning of Socio-Technical Imaginaries in Ouarzazate’s Solar Development. Master thesis.
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Abstract
Providing energy in its most suited form is the world's greatest challenge in the twenty-first century. The Kingdom of Morocco's major challenges regarding the power grid include the growing energy demand and the country’s dependence on energy imports. To become less dependent on the import of energy, the Kingdom of Morocco has been seeking to scale up its renewable energy infrastructure over the past decade as the country enjoys potential solar irradiation. A pathway of Morocco's strategy is the development of five CSP projects, the largest of which is located in the city of Ouarzazate. Taking the case of Ouarzazate in the south-east of Morocco, located in a semi-desert and rigorous pre-Saharan environment, this thesis aims to explore how different experts and policies envision socio-technical imaginaries (STIs) on solar development in Ouarzazate and then see if there are tensions between expert and policy STIs and the implemented outcome of these visions. Previous studies have not frequently examined how policy initiatives and their results align with the intended STIs. Therefore, this study will focus on the expert visions and policies that propose their STIs for Morocco's energy development. By drawing on data from Moroccan policy documents, news articles, reports, and opinion pieces, this research develops an understanding of STIs from experts and policy regarding solar development and the outcomes of the imposition. The study has found that policy strongly emphasises the advantages for the environment, energy security, social progress, and economy. However, other expert viewpoints also highlighted challenges like social inequities, the need for improved information exchange and community consultation, and the need to consider the local context when implementing projects affecting conflictual solar development STIs in Ouarzazate. Implying that STIs have implications for the acceptance of the implemented outcomes, it is essential for policymakers and energy experts to gain more understanding of the social and justice implications to better engage with the various ways solar energy development is envisioned.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Degree programme: | Environmental & Infrastructure Planning |
| Supervisor: | Turhan, E. |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Aug 2023 13:57 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Aug 2023 13:57 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4352 |
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