Towards a Political Economy Framework for Wind Power

• Published in: The Political Economy of Clean Energy Transitions
• Main Authors: Davidson, Michael R, Kahrl, Fredrich, Karplus, Valerie J
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 13.04.2017
• Subjects: political economy; wind power; energy policy; low-carbon energy transition; China
• ISBN: 9780198802242; 0198802242
• DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780198802242.003.0013

The authors propose a general taxonomy of the political economy challenges to wind power development and integration, highlighting the implications in terms of actors, interests, and risks. Applying this framework to three functions in China’s electricity sector—planning and project approval, generator cost recovery, and balancing area coordination—the authors find evidence of challenges common across countries with significant wind investments, despite institutional and industry characteristics that are unique to China. The authors argue that resolving these political economy challenges is as important to facilitating the role of wind and other renewable energies in a low-carbon energy transition as providing dedicated technical and energy policy support. China is no exception.