The stuttering energy transition in Germany: Wind energy policy and feed-in tariff lock-in

Johan Nordensvärd and Frauke Urban

Energy Policy, 2015, vol. 82, issue C, 156-165

Abstract: This article aims to examine whether the formulation of specific low carbon policy such as the feed-in tariff for wind energy in Germany can partly be a barrier to a comprehensive energy transition (Energiewende). Despite their short and medium-term success, these policies could create a long-term lock-in if they are formulated in a way that leads to a stagnation of systems innovation. The research finds that while the share of wind energy has increased rapidly over time, the feed-in-tariff and other low carbon policies and incentives have not been sufficient to achieve a socio-technical regime transition in Germany yet. We suggest that the German feed-in-tariff has incorporated wind energy (a niche-innovation) and wind energy actors (pathway newcomers) into a slightly modified socio-technical regime that is rather similar to the earlier ‘fossil fuel dominant’ socio-technical regime.

Keywords: Wind energy; Germany; Energy policy; National Innovation Systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (32)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:82:y:2015:i:c:p:156-165

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.03.009

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