Examine Risk Management Processes in Power Generation: A Case Study of the 2mVA Solar Power Plant in Shangombo

In the ever-evolving global energy landscape, the adoption of renewable energy technologies has emerged as a critical strategy for addressing a range of pressing issues, including climate change, depletion of fossil fuel resources, and the need for cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. Among the various renewable energy technologies, solar power has gained significant prominence due to its wide availability, low environmental impact, and rapid advancements in technology that have made it increasingly cost-effective and scalable. Solar energy harnesses the power of the sun to generate electricity through photovoltaic (PV) systems or concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. Despite these advantages, solar power generation is not without its share of operational challenges and risks. These may include fluctuations in solar irradiance due to weather variability, technical failures in equipment such as inverters or panels, issues related to grid integration, regulatory compliance, and financial uncertainties related to initial investment and long-term maintenance. Given these complexities, effective risk management is essential to ensure the reliability, safety, and financial viability of solar power plants. Risk management in this context involves systematically identifying, analyzing, and mitigating potential threats that could adversely affect the performance or sustainability of the power plant. Implementing robust risk management strategies not only safeguards assets and operational integrity but also builds investor confidence, enhances project efficiency, and ensures compliance with environmental and safety standards. As solar energy continues to play a central role in the global energy transition, understanding and improving risk management practices within this sector becomes increasingly vital. The study will embrace a cross-sectional exploratory case study design, employing a quantitative methodology for gathering primary data. STATA will be used for data entry and data analysis. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and means, was used to summarize data. The study found that the 2mVA Solar Power Plant faces multiple high-priority risks, with environmental, supply chain, grid, technical, cybersecurity, financial, and health and safety risks reported as frequent or significant concerns, alongside human-related and regulatory disruptions. Existing risk management strategies were generally effective, supported by strong technical and environmental risk mitigation, rapid response times, early detection systems, proactive prevention measures, and sufficient staff training. Stakeholder involvement was substantial, with both internal and external actors contributing meaningfully through engagement, communication, and decision-making, supported by transparent reporting and clear role definitions. However, challenges such as funding shortages, unreliable data, workforce limitations, regulatory constraints, stakeholder engagement difficulties, and training gaps hindered optimal implementation. The study recommends enhancing financial support, strengthening human resource capacity, and investing in continuous training to address workforce and knowledge gaps in risk management. Improving data reliability through digital monitoring tools, fostering stronger stakeholder engagement, and aligning regulatory frameworks with operational needs are also essential. Additionally, the plant should invest in advanced risk management technologies, particularly in cybersecurity, and promote a proactive risk management culture embedded across all organizational levels. These measures will collectively strengthen resilience, improve decision-making, and ensure sustainable risk management.