Journal
GEOFORUM
Volume 76, Issue -, Pages 90-99Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.09.004
Keywords
India, Charanka solar park; Enclosure of commons; Land acquisition; Mega-solar-projects; Energy transition; Energy justice
Categories
Funding
- University of Birmingham, College of Life and Environmental Sciences
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [41130750, 41329001, 41550110226]
- Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGLAS)
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This paper considers aspects of spatial justice in the processes of land acquisition for large-scale solar energy projects in the developmentalist context of India. It explores the case of one of the world's largest solar park projects in Charanka, Gujarat. While the official rhetoric suggests an inclusive project for globally benign renewable energy production, the research reveals a more controversial land and power politics of renewable energy. It is argued, in particular, that the project increases the precariousness of vulnerable communities, who are exposed to the loss of livelihoods due to the enclosure of common land and extra-legal mechanisms through which land acquisitions for the project have reportedly taken place. This case exemplifies how solar mega-projects may manifest a regime of accumulation whereby low carbon coalitions of interests can maximize their gains by dispossessing vulnerable social groups of their life-sustaining assets. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available