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Title
Japanese: 
English:Social Acceptance and Associated risks of Geothermal Energy Development in East-Africa: Perspectives from Geothermal Energy Developers 
Author
Japanese: MAHAMOUD ABDIAbdek, 村山武彦, 錦澤滋雄, SuwanteepKultip.  
English: Abdek Mahamoud Abdi, Takehiko Murayama, Shigeo Nishikizawa, Kultip Suwanteep.  
Language English 
Journal/Book name
Japanese: 
English: 
Volume, Number, Page        
Published date June 10, 2024 
Publisher
Japanese: 
English:Clean Energy Journal - Oxford University Press 
Conference name
Japanese: 
English: 
Conference site
Japanese: 
English: 
Official URL https://academic.oup.com/ce
 
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/ce/zkae051
Abstract Social acceptance is a challenging aspect affecting the development of geothermal energy, and such issues have been reported in many countries, such as Germany, Japan, Greece, and Kenya. In this study, we discuss the barriers to social acceptance and associated risks faced by geothermal energy developers in East Africa. We have conducted semi structured interviews with international organizations (38.5%), public companies (38.5%), and private companies (23.1%). The interviews were qualitatively analyzed using inductive content analysis. The key barriers identified by respondents were the lack of political, market, and community awareness; lack of local political support; lack of public funding; human resource shortages; involuntary resettlement; local cultural aspects; employment issues; and demographic change. The lack of awareness of geothermal energy affects public and private funding and leads to negative risk perceptions by communities. Risks, such as air, soil, and water pollution, land acquisition, social exclusion, resource risks, and drilling and project costs, were considered important by our respondents. In this study, we emphasize the need for the following: raising awareness regarding geothermal energy; training professionals; implementing strong surface studies to reduce the risks associated with the exploration stage; and conducting environmental and social impact assessment reports to mitigate negative risks to local communities, while also ensuring their engagement and raising their awareness about the negative risks of geothermal energy.

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