Renewable Energy Procurement Programs Can Drive Meaningful Job Creation
Well-structured renewable energy procurement programs, like South Africa's REIPPPP, can be designed to intentionally foster significant job creation alongside energy generation goals.
SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) · 2015
Key Findings
- 01The REIPPPP does create meaningful jobs, but data is often misaligned and not publicly accessible.
- 02A stronger emphasis on job creation within the REIPPPP's weighting and auditing processes is required, along with further research into intended benefits and suggested improvements for data alignment.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing or implementing large-scale initiatives, integrate clear metrics and auditing processes for social outcomes, such as job creation, from the outset.
How to apply
When developing proposals for government-funded or large-scale infrastructure projects, include a detailed plan for how job creation will be fostered, measured, and reported.
Project actions
- 01Consider the broader societal impact of your design project beyond its primary function.
- 02Think about how to measure and report on these wider impacts.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Empirical investigation of a real-world program.
- +Mixed-methods approach providing a richer understanding.
Limitations
The specific socio-economic context of South Africa might influence the applicability of these findings to other regions. Data accessibility issues can hinder comprehensive analysis.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be improved by using standardized data collection tools for job creation metrics. Validity is strengthened by the mixed-methods approach, triangulating findings from different sources.
Think critically
To what extent should job creation be a primary driver versus a secondary benefit in the design and implementation of large-scale technological projects?
Design Principles
"Integrate social impact objectives into the core design and evaluation of large-scale technological and infrastructure projects."
This research highlights how policy and procurement mechanisms can be powerful tools for achieving broader societal objectives beyond the primary technical or economic aims. Designers and engineers involved in large-scale infrastructure projects should consider the potential for their work to generate employment and contribute to economic development.
What This Means for Your Design
Big projects like renewable energy farms can be designed not just to make power, but also to create lots of good jobs, though we need to track this better.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the socio-economic impact of technological solutions or procurement processes in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2015). Utility-scale renewable energy job creation : an investigation of the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University). Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/5157da0b-5335-4ac7-815f-8ef739f8abb7/renewable-energy-procurement-programs-can-drive-meaningful-job-creation
Paragraph starter
Research by Reed Stands (2015) on South Africa's renewable energy procurement program indicates that such initiatives can effectively drive job creation. However, the study highlights the critical need for robust data collection and auditing mechanisms to accurately measure and validate these social impacts, suggesting that integrating clear social objectives into procurement design is essential for realizing intended benefits.
Source
SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University)
Utility-scale renewable energy job creation : an investigation of the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP)
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about renewable energy procurement programs can drive meaningful job creation?
- When designing or implementing large-scale initiatives, integrate clear metrics and auditing processes for social outcomes, such as job creation, from the outset. Evidence: SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) (2015).
- Why does "Renewable Energy Procurement Programs Can Drive Meaningful Job Creation" matter for design?
- This research highlights how policy and procurement mechanisms can be powerful tools for achieving broader societal objectives beyond the primary technical or economic aims. Designers and engineers involved in large-scale infrastructure projects should consider the potential for their work to generate employment and contribute to economic development.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing or implementing large-scale initiatives, integrate clear metrics and auditing processes for social outcomes, such as job creation, from the outset.
- What were the main findings?
- The REIPPPP does create meaningful jobs, but data is often misaligned and not publicly accessible.. A stronger emphasis on job creation within the REIPPPP's weighting and auditing processes is required, along with further research into intended benefits and suggested improvements for data alignment.
- What research method was used?
- Mixed-methods (literature review, quantitative data analysis, qualitative interviews).
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing proposals for government-funded or large-scale infrastructure projects, include a detailed plan for how job creation will be fostered, measured, and reported.
- What are the limitations?
- The study's findings are specific to the REIPPPP context in South Africa and may not be directly generalizable to all renewable energy procurement programs globally. Data availability and alignment issues presented challenges.
- Is there evidence that renewable energy affects design outcomes?
- While the program successfully creates jobs, the data tracking these jobs is inconsistent and not readily available, suggesting a need for better auditing and data management within the program's structure. This research highlights how policy and procurement mechanisms can be powerful tools for achieving broader societ Source: SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) (2015).
- Where does this job creation research apply?
- South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) It sits within innovation & design research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
renewable energy design research · evidence on renewable energy · does renewable energy improve design outcomes · job creation studies for designers · renewable energy and job creation findings · innovation & design research evidence