South-South technology transfer of low-carbon innovation: large Chinese hydropower dams in Cambodia

Urban, Frauke, Siciliano, Giuseppina, Sour, Kim, Lonn, Pich Dara, Tan-Mullins, May and Mang, Grace (2015) South-South technology transfer of low-carbon innovation: large Chinese hydropower dams in Cambodia. Sustainable Development, 23 (4). pp. 232-244. ISSN 0968-0802

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Abstract

Large dams have been controversially debated for decades due to their large‐scale and often irreversible social and environmental impacts. In the pursuit of low‐carbon energy and climate change mitigation, hydropower is experiencing a new renaissance. At the forefront of this renaissance are Chinese actors as the world's largest hydropower dam‐builders. This paper aims to discuss the role of South–South technology transfer of low‐carbon energy innovation and its opportunities and barriers by using a case study of the first large Chinese‐funded and Chinese‐built dam in Cambodia. Using the Kamchay Dam as an example, the paper finds that technology transfer can only be fully successful when host governments and organizations have the capacity to absorb new technologies. The paper also finds that technology transfer in the dam sector needs to go beyond hardware and focus more on the transfer of expertise, skills and knowledge to enable long‐term sustainable development.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: "This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Urban, F., Siciliano, G., Sour, K., Lonn, P. D., Tan‐Mullins, M., and Mang, G. (2015) South–South Technology Transfer of Low‐Carbon Innovation: Large Chinese Hydropower Dams in Cambodia. Sust. Dev., 23: 232–244, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.1590 . This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions."
Keywords: hydropower; dams; China; Cambodia; technology transfer; technology cooperation; low-carbon innovation; global South
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham Ningbo China > Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of International Studies
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.1590
Depositing User: Yu, Tiffany
Date Deposited: 13 Aug 2018 03:36
Last Modified: 13 Aug 2018 03:36
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/53306

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