1 How to Respond to Energy Transitions in Africa …
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source to an improved energy source. In this respect therefore, we note
that different countries face different energy challenges and as such they
should not be pressured to transition from fossil fuels to renewables,
rather, given the historical, social, economic and political situation of
some countries, these can progress from one source of energy to another.
This progression is on the case by case basis but can be clearly understood
from a regional and geographical perspective. This section, therefore,
focuses on the legal measures and policies in place to promote renewable
energy and energy efficiency.
1.4.1 Legal Measures And Policies to Promote Clean
Energy
Having an effective legal framework is key to ensuring the promotion
of renewable energy and technologies in the country. This is because
the legal and regulatory framework is the basis for not only setting up
the necessary renewable energy and energy efficiency institutions in the
country but also for the protection of foreign energy investments. In
many countries, there are already reliable and efficient laws and policies that are intended to promote the deployment of renewable energy
and energy efficiency. Most of these laws have their basis in the national
constitutions. For instance, Article 32 of the Constitution of the Arab
Republic of Egypt, 2014 emphasizes the ownership of natural resources
and exploitation of these resources, including renewables taking into
consideration the rights of future generations.
50 In Sierra Leone, the
1991 Constitution makes provision for efficient use of natural resources
which includes energy.
51
Besides the constitution, there are specific renewable energy laws and
policies governing the deployment of renewable technologies. These are
highlighted in the Table 1.3.
As illustrated in the Table 1.3, there are various laws and policies
that support the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency
50 The Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt, 2014.
51 See, Article 7(1) (a), Act No. 6 of the 1991 Constitution, Sierra Leone.
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source to an improved energy source. In this respect therefore, we note
that different countries face different energy challenges and as such they
should not be pressured to transition from fossil fuels to renewables,
rather, given the historical, social, economic and political situation of
some countries, these can progress from one source of energy to another.
This progression is on the case by case basis but can be clearly understood
from a regional and geographical perspective. This section, therefore,
focuses on the legal measures and policies in place to promote renewable
energy and energy efficiency.
1.4.1 Legal Measures And Policies to Promote Clean
Energy
Having an effective legal framework is key to ensuring the promotion
of renewable energy and technologies in the country. This is because
the legal and regulatory framework is the basis for not only setting up
the necessary renewable energy and energy efficiency institutions in the
country but also for the protection of foreign energy investments. In
many countries, there are already reliable and efficient laws and policies that are intended to promote the deployment of renewable energy
and energy efficiency. Most of these laws have their basis in the national
constitutions. For instance, Article 32 of the Constitution of the Arab
Republic of Egypt, 2014 emphasizes the ownership of natural resources
and exploitation of these resources, including renewables taking into
consideration the rights of future generations.
50 In Sierra Leone, the
1991 Constitution makes provision for efficient use of natural resources
which includes energy.
51
Besides the constitution, there are specific renewable energy laws and
policies governing the deployment of renewable technologies. These are
highlighted in the Table 1.3.
As illustrated in the Table 1.3, there are various laws and policies
that support the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency
50 The Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt, 2014.
51 See, Article 7(1) (a), Act No. 6 of the 1991 Constitution, Sierra Leone.