ABSTRACT
Renewable energy technologies are new entrants in the energy system. They face an uphill struggle against the well-established dominant electricity supply technologies – coal and gas, plus nuclear. Given increasing concerns about climate change, governments around the world have over the years tried to stimulate the expansion of renewable energy via a range of subsidies and other financial support systems. This chapter looks at the economic support mechanisms that have been used in the UK, comparing them with those adopted elsewhere.
