Who they are, what they do, and how they interact: understanding stakeholders in Small Hydropower Plants

Abstract The use of energy and the different strategies of diffusion and implementation of new energy technologies involve multiple stakeholders who have distinct roles, interests, values, and beliefs. In this context, this study seeks to identify and understand how stakeholders involved in Small Hydropower Plants act and which roles they play based on an qualitative research. Primary data were collected from semi-structured interviews applied to nine representatives of different groups of stakeholders. Secondary data were collected through documentary research, observing the sector legislation, reports, edicts, and instructions available on the websites of government entities and regulatory agencies. Data on stakeholders were assessed by content analysis in three categories: a) who they are; b) what they do; and c) how they interact during the stages of implementation of a small hydropower plant. Seven stakeholder groups and nineteen members that represent them were identified. The following groups of stakeholders were identified: (1) Institutional Agents; (2) Non-governmental organizations; (3) Renewable energy investors and producers; (4) Investment banks; (5) Suppliers of the sector; (6) Associations for renewable energy development; and (7) Local stakeholders. In addition, there is a description of the five stages of implementation of renewable energy projects and how those groups interact in each of them. The results show a lack of collaboration and dialogue between the different stakeholders when deciding about resource management, as well as lack of information leading to loss of confidence of local stakeholders in the projects before their installation and throughout their life cycle. As a contribution, this study points out that, once the stages of implementation and the actors involved have been identified, new forms of communication can be proposed to increase information transparency, as well as workflow models that attempt to collaborate and dialogue with the different stakeholders.

摘要 能源利用与新能源技术推广、实施的各类策略，涉及诸多利益相关方(Stakeholders)，这些主体拥有迥异的角色定位、利益诉求、价值取向与信念体系。在此背景下，本研究依托质性研究方法，旨在识别并解析参与小型水电站(Small Hydropower Plants)建设的利益相关方的行为逻辑与角色定位。
本研究通过面向不同利益相关方群体9名代表的半结构化访谈收集一手数据；同时通过文献研究法梳理二手数据，涵盖政府部门与监管机构官网公开的行业法规、报告、政令及指导文件。针对利益相关方的相关数据，采用内容分析法从三大维度展开分析：其一，利益相关方的身份属性；其二，利益相关方的职能行为；其三，小型水电站建设各阶段中利益相关方的互动模式。
本次研究共识别出7类利益相关方群体，以及对应19名代表主体，具体包括：(1) 机构主体(Institutional Agents)；(2) 非政府组织(Non-governmental Organizations)；(3) 可再生能源投资者与生产商；(4) 投资银行；(5) 行业供应商；(6) 可再生能源发展协会；(7) 本地利益相关方。此外，本研究还阐述了可再生能源项目的5个建设阶段，以及上述利益相关方群体在各阶段中的互动方式。
研究结果表明，在资源管理相关决策环节中，不同利益相关方之间缺乏协作与沟通；此外信息供给不足导致本地利益相关方在项目开工前乃至全生命周期内，对项目产生信任缺失。本研究的贡献在于：明确项目建设阶段与参与主体后，可针对性提出提升信息透明度的新型沟通方式，以及旨在推动不同利益相关方开展协作与对话的工作流程优化模型。