Erneuerbare und dezentrale Energien aus postkolonialer Perspektive

By combining postcolonial theory and development and technology research, this interdisciplinary work offers new research avenues. Through two detailed case studies, it contributes to theoretical knowledge as well as critical developmental practice.
First, it reflects on the role of (energy) technologies from a critical perspective on development and technology. It proceeds to highlight current discursive formations and the political strategies of the energy and ‘devel-opment’ nexus.
Against this theoretical background and via ethnographic research methods, processes of technology development in two case studies of German–Tanzanian partnerships are reconstructed, analysed from a postcolonial perspective and examined for their potential in terms of self-determined technology development and use and the obstacles they also pose in this respect. The case studies look at the cooperation between two NGOs that are developing a new type of biogas system for the home and two companies that install solar home systems.