Abstract
This chapter examines the use of solar power by nomadic herders as a way to both ensure access to electricity in the most rural regions and prevent the use of coal and electric generators which would contribute significantly to rural pollution. Much of the chapter focuses on the case study of Mongolia and China. This case study examines the intersections of a successful solar power project against a backdrop of political instability, fierce national and international mining interests, and the determination of herders to maintain their traditional lifestyles while also having access to new technologies. Nomadic herders are at the frontlines of observing and responding to climate change. Their use of solar panels in Central Asia demonstrates one way in which national and international interests can align to make significant, lasting energy policy.
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Notes
- 1.
Namjil Enebish, “The National Photovoltaic Program” 100,000 Solar House (GER) in Mongolia.” In Conference Record of the Twenty-Eighth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference-2000 (Cat. No. 00CH37036), pp. 1748–1751, 1748. IEEE, 2000.
- 2.
World Bank (2018, p. 14).
- 3.
Reach Project. Mongolia’s Renewable Energy for Rural Access Project: Providing Electricity to Nomadic Herders. 2020. Reach Project: University of Toronto. Retrieved from: https://reachalliance.org/case-study/providing-electricity-to-nomadic-herders-mongolias-renewable-energy-for-rural-access-project/, p. 25 (last accessed 9 January 2021).
- 4.
Ibid., p. 11.
- 5.
J. Stephenson et al., “Energy Cultures: A Framework for Understanding Energy Behaviors.” Energy Policy 2010; 38:6120–6129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2010.05.069, p. 118 (last accessed 9 January 2021).
- 6.
World Bank (2014, p. 13).
- 7.
Ibid., p. 16.
- 8.
E. Quak, “Lighting and Electricity Services for Off-Grid Populations in sub-Sahara Africa.” 2018. K4D Helpdesk Report no. 317. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies. Retrieved from: https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/13649, p. 7 (last accessed 9 January 2021).
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Hahn, A.H. (2022). Nomadic Power: The Case of Solar Panels in Mongolia. In: Shabliy, E.V., Crawford, M.J., Kurochkin, D. (eds) Energy Justice. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93068-4_3
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