Searching for stable electricity in Monrovia: Co-evolution of energy infrastructure and practices

Development requires action, adaptation, and transformation of both governance and physical infrastructure. Energy infrastructure unfolds as the infrastructure that facilitates the growth of other infrastructures and development. This paper argues it is critical to examine the complex, non-linear evolution of energy infrastructure and policy alongside the intricate, non-linear evolution of governance in general, and planning specifically, in southern cities, particularly those with a history of instability, scarcity and incomplete infrastructure. Monrovia, Liberia, provides a compelling example of the intricate co-evolution of policy, infrastructure and practices in unpredictable and unstable contexts that require adaptability, resilience and innovation. Understanding such a landscape is important because governance reflects characteristics of constant evolution, improvisation and searching within a broader system that is also evolving. The objective is to better grasp how the double and coupled processes of ‘searching’ and ‘planning’ interact to shape the landscape of options for tackling incomplete electricity infrastructure. The incompleteness of both governance and infrastructure retains benefits whilst the interplay of searching and planning can allow for positive adaptations in terms of governance and infrastructure; however, we equally know adaptation can take place in unsustainable contexts, thereby engendering the potential for risks and missed opportunities. •Energy infrastructure adapts with changing practices and governance.•Incompleteness presents challenges as well as possibilities.•Searching processes relevant for developing localized solutions.•Searching and planning foster positive governance and infrastructure adaptations.•Diverse strategies in space offer lessons for effective energy governance.