One Step Ahead, Two Steps Backwards: Energy Transitions and Coal in Developing Countries

Abstract

Anthropogenic climate change necessitates a transformation of the current fossil-based energy systems towards renewable energies. Despite large agreement on the huge costs of (climate) inaction, several developing countries currently see a massive uptake of carbon-intense coal-based power generation. This study aims to contextualize investment flows for coal projects, with a focus on the Global South. We applied a bipartite network analysis to investigate investment patterns between donor and recipient countries using a secondary database. The results indicate that China, Japan and South Korea are key players in the massive coal extension currently observed in several developing countries of Asia and Africa. While the analysis presented in this paper aids the problem identification and illustration, the lurking grey energy transition will require further research and policy attention.