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Figure 3: Latin America’s renewable power capacity, 15-year analysis Source: IRENA (2016)
discussion of research findings
The regional case studies in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Latin America demonstrate the diverse applications of RET and their significant potential in promoting sustainable development. This paper examined the success factors in these regions, such as government support, innovative financing, and community engagement, by contextualising the findings using the governmentality theory and energy for transition theory. Governmentality theory, as conceptualised by Michel Foucault, focuses on how governments exercise control over populations through a combination of policies, strategies, and governance frameworks. When applied to the context of renewable energy, governmentality refers to how governments regulate and shape behaviours to promote the adoption of clean energy solutions while also managing the socio-economic structures around energy access and development. In the case studies of Rwanda, Tanzania, and Latin America, governmentality can be seen in the way states exercise control through policies, incentives, and the management of RET initiatives.
The Rwandan government has played a proactive role in shaping the RET landscape through subsidies, tax incentives, and capacity-building programmes aimed at promoting off-grid solar energy systems. These initiatives
align with the principles of governmentality, as the government not only directs the infrastructure investment but also actively educates and engages communities in the benefits of renewable energy. The focus on community participation, particularly through awareness-raising campaigns, exemplifies how the government exercises influence to ensure behavioral change and support for sustainable energy solutions (Government of Rwanda 2021). Sharma et al. (2019) state that the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) systems further demonstrate governmentality by making solar energy accessible to low-income households through state-backed financial models that regulate access to energy while fostering local economic growth. Similarly, in Tanzania government policies, such as subsidies, tax breaks, and the promotion of PPPs reflect a governmental approach to managing RET adoption. The World Bank (2021) indicated that the government’s involvement in creating a conducive environment for off-grid solar projects supports small businesses and improves public health, demonstrating the state’s role in regulating not just the technological deployment but also the socio-economic impact of RET. Moreover, through policy interventions the government aids in the alignment of energy access with broader development goals, such as poverty reduction and environmental protection, reflecting the core tenets of governmentality.
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