Conflict Sensitivity and Renewable Energy

The report argues that renewable energy projects in energy-scarce areas, specifically refugee camps, often overlook the potential to provoke or exacerbate conflict due to unequal energy access. An analysis of 11 projects in Kenya's Kakuma Refugee Camp reveals that conflict potential is rarely discussed and data on resulting tensions is lacking. The authors recommend local community engagement and stakeholder inclusion to mitigate these risks.

• Renewable energy projects in refugee camps are typically not designed or evaluated to address their potential to cause conflict, despite the risk that unequal energy access can increase tensions between camp residents and host communities.
• An examination of 11 renewable energy projects in Kenya's Kakuma Refugee Camp indicates that the possibility of these projects contributing to conflict is seldom discussed, and there is a lack of data to determine if they have actually increased friction within the camp or with the host community.
• To prevent or reduce discord arising from renewable energy projects, the authors suggest implementing local community engagement and including a diverse range of local stakeholders.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2022). Conflict Sensitivity and Renewable Energy. https://www.sei.org/publications/conflict-sensitivity-and-renewable-energy

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Conflict Sensitivity and Renewable Energy. 2022. https://www.sei.org/publications/conflict-sensitivity-and-renewable-energy.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Conflict Sensitivity and Renewable Energy |date=20 December 2022 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/conflict-sensitivity-and-renewable-energy |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2022conflict, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Conflict Sensitivity and Renewable Energy}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2022}, month = dec, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/conflict-sensitivity-and-renewable-energy}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }