What drives investment in wind energy? A comparative study of China and the European Union

Abstract

Although the expansion of new renewable energy has been dependent on support in state policies, the research literature has scant focus on the political motivations for implementing policies to stimulate such development. The growth of wind power is an illustrative case of renewables expansion, as this is the most mature of the new renewable technologies. What can explain the rapid development of wind power production capacity in the EU and in China, despite their very different political systems and basic preconditions? Applying the method of most-different systems design in combination with document studies and interviewing, this article demonstrates how large-scale investments in wind power have come about through a specific set of political motivations backed by strong governmental support policies with similar main aims: security of energy supply, creating future-oriented industries and employment, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local pollution. These three factors together, broadly perceived, might also explain the political motivations that drive large investment in new renewable energy sources elsewhere