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Utilizing Sustainability Assessment Framework to Obtain a Social License to Operate in Renewable Energy Projects

The Case of Murchison Hydropower Project in Uganda

The Palgrave Handbook of Social License to Operate and Energy Transitions

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Energy Transitions ((PSET))

Abstract

The Ugandan government has contracted Bonang Energy and Power Ltd. to construct a hydropower dam at Murchison waterfall to generate about 360 megawatts of electricity to address its energy needs. But this project faces opposition from stakeholders – environmental activists, tourism promoters and operators, and communities – who cite sustainability concerns and likely economic, social, and environmental impact of the project on the community. The opposition is an indication of the absence of a social license to operate (SLO). The project affects a broad spectrum of stakeholders, and their social acceptance of the project is crucial to its successful completion. This article shows how a sustainability assessment framework can apply to obtain SLO in hydropower projects and similar renewable energy projects (REPs). Sustainability dimensions – socioeconomic and environmental aspects – assist in examining the linkages between a REP and general livelihood and what strategy needs to be put in place to address any likely problem. To achieve its aim, this study examines the concept of SLO to understand its application in REPs and how the various dimensions of hydropower dams can affect local communities. We use the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol framework to evaluate the Murchison hydropower conflict and highlight how the Protocol can assist project developers in obtaining SLO. We note that consulting and engaging broad stakeholders and transparently conducting impact assessment to halt or avoid, minimize, mitigate project impacts, and pay compensation for damages can result in SLO. Furthermore, the Protocol offers a platform for social acceptance to thrive as it incorporates these values.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Law, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

    Smith I. Azubuike

  2. Centre for Energy, Petroleum & Mineral Law and Policy, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK

    Susan Nakanwagi

  3. Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

    Samuel C. Dike

Authors
  1. Smith I. Azubuike
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  2. Susan Nakanwagi
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  3. Samuel C. Dike
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Correspondence to Smith I. Azubuike .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Urban Planning, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK

    Geoffrey Wood

  2. Dept. of Asian and International Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

    Jędrzej Górski

  3. International Energy Charter, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium

    Gokce Mete

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Azubuike, S.I., Nakanwagi, S., Dike, S.C. (2022). Utilizing Sustainability Assessment Framework to Obtain a Social License to Operate in Renewable Energy Projects. In: Wood, G., Górski, J., Mete, G. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Social License to Operate and Energy Transitions. Palgrave Studies in Energy Transitions. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74725-1_7-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74725-1_7-1

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  1. Latest

    Utilizing Sustainability Assessment Framework to Obtain a Social License to Operate in Renewable Energy Projects
    Published:
    24 March 2023

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74725-1_7-2

  2. Original

    Utilizing Sustainability Assessment Framework to Obtain a Social License to Operate in Renewable Energy Projects
    Published:
    09 June 2022

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74725-1_7-1

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