Managing the transition: an analysis of renewable energy policies in resource-rich Arab states with a comparative focus on the United Arab Emirates and Algeria

Kumetat, Dennis (2012) Managing the transition: an analysis of renewable energy policies in resource-rich Arab states with a comparative focus on the United Arab Emirates and Algeria. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

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Abstract

This study analyses renewable energy policy in hydrocarbons-wealthy Arab states. Integrating elements of energy policy analysis, Middle Eastern studies and sociotechnical governance theory, the thesis contributes to the understanding of renewable energy policy in this region as well as to the question of transferability of governance concepts. The thesis is structured in three parts. Part A discusses relevant research literature and presents the multi-level-perspective which structures the policy analysis. Additionally, the policy design model of transition management that closely interacts with the multilevel-perspective is presented. Then, the material content of renewable energy policies in hydrocarbons-wealthy Arab states is discussed and the research questions developed. A methodological discussion concludes Part A. Part B applies the analytical categories developed to two case studies, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates. The two countries represent the main types of Arab oil and gas wealthy states (large territorial and small city states) and two relevant regions (North Africa and the Gulf States). In addition to domestic renewable energy policy, the thesis also discusses the Desertec project, as well as Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Initiative as case studies within the larger country case studies. In the last part of this study, a cross-case analysis highlights common regional features and particularities in terms of renewable energy policy in the target region and formulates policy recommendations deriving from its critical use of the transition management approach. Lastly, it addresses theory-related outcomes of the case studies with regards to the transfer of Western policy design models to hydrocarbons-rich Arab states.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Additional Information:	© 2012 Dennis Kumetat
Library of Congress subject classification:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Sets:	Departments > Geography and Environment
Supervisor:	Mason, Michael and Ulrichsen, Kristian
URI:	http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/623

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