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Barriers to investment in utility-scale variable renewable electricity (VRE) generation projects

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  • Hu, Jing
  • Harmsen, Robert
  • Crijns-Graus, Wina
  • Worrell, Ernst

Abstract

To effectively mitigate climate change, variable renewable electricity (VRE) is expected to substitute a great share of current fossil-fired electricity generation. However, VRE investments can be obstructed by many barriers, endangering the amount of investments needed in order to be consistent with the Paris 2 °C target. To help policy-makers better understand and assess these barriers, an integrated framework was developed. It establishes a clear connection between barriers identified in literature and the investment decision-making process, based on the project life of VRE assets. Barriers in this framework are defined as factors hindering the realization of a positive final investment decision (FID), which can lead to investment withdrawal.

Suggested Citation

  • Hu, Jing & Harmsen, Robert & Crijns-Graus, Wina & Worrell, Ernst, 2018. "Barriers to investment in utility-scale variable renewable electricity (VRE) generation projects," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 730-744.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:121:y:2018:i:c:p:730-744
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.01.092
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