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Opening new markets for clean energy: The role of project developers in the global diffusion of renewable energy technologies

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  • Steffen, Bjarne
  • Matsuo, Tyeler
  • Steinemann, Davita
  • Schmidt, Tobias S.

Abstract

As renewable energy supply chains have grown increasingly globalized, national clean energy transitions have become highly influenced by international dynamics. However, these dynamics are themselves collectively shaped by domestic policy that drives the deployment of renewables. While spatial spillovers of domestic renewable energy policies have been studied on an aggregate level regarding policy diffusion or the flows of technology across countries, implications on an actor-level have been largely neglected. This article addresses this gap by analyzing global patterns of market openings for wind, solar PV, and biomass, focusing on the role of private project developers in developing countries. We use a mixed method design, based on a newly merged dataset encompassing eighty countries, and on interviews with pioneering project developers. Results highlight how patterns in market openings are shaped considerably by technology characteristics. Further, empirical results show international private developers are a key first mover in many developing countries. We explore drivers for this internationalization trend, including the impact of international developers' home country policies and the accumulation of tacit knowledge from home country markets for market openings abroad. Finally, we discuss implications for industrial policy and argue for further research on global spillovers of national policies on the actor-level.

Suggested Citation

  • Steffen, Bjarne & Matsuo, Tyeler & Steinemann, Davita & Schmidt, Tobias S., 2018. "Opening new markets for clean energy: The role of project developers in the global diffusion of renewable energy technologies," Business and Politics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(4), pages 553-587, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:buspol:v:20:y:2018:i:04:p:553-587_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Nemet, Gregory F. & Lu, Jiaqi & Rai, Varun & Rao, Rohan, 2020. "Knowledge spillovers between PV installers can reduce the cost of installing solar PV," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    2. Steffen, Bjarne, 2020. "Estimating the cost of capital for renewable energy projects," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    3. Trotter, Philipp A., 2022. "The slow transition to solar, wind and other non-hydro renewables in Africa – Responding to and building on a critique by Kincer, Moss and Thurber (2021)," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 25(C).
    4. Hansen, Ulrich Elmer & Lema, Rasmus, 2019. "The co-evolution of learning mechanisms and technological capabilities: Lessons from energy technologies in emerging economies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 241-257.
    5. Chro Hama Radha, 2023. "Retrofitting for Improving Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in the Hospital Building," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, February.
    6. Matsuo, Tyeler & Schmidt, Tobias S., 2019. "Managing tradeoffs in green industrial policies: The role of renewable energy policy design," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 11-26.
    7. Kanda, Wisdom & Hjelm, Olof, 2021. "Drivers for and barriers to the diffusion of biogas technologies through export," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    8. Beuse, Martin & Dirksmeier, Mathias & Steffen, Bjarne & Schmidt, Tobias S., 2020. "Profitability of commercial and industrial photovoltaics and battery projects in South-East-Asia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    9. Florian Egli & Rui Zhang & Victor Hopo & Tobias Schmidt & Bjarne Steffen, 2023. "The contribution of corporate initiatives to global renewable electricity deployment," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    10. Eicke, Laima & Weko, Silvia, 2022. "Does green growth foster green policies? Value chain upgrading and feedback mechanisms on renewable energy policies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    11. Steffen, Bjarne & Karplus, Valerie & Schmidt, Tobias S., 2022. "State ownership and technology adoption: The case of electric utilities and renewable energy," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(6).

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