ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the variance and similarities in developments in renewables support across the six case-study countries. Because most of these countries have complex portfolios of renewables support schemes, we focus on support mixes rather than individual instruments, taking into account that policies often differ for small-scale and large-scale renewables investments. We categorize mixes of support schemes for renewables as technology-specific or technology-neutral, a distinction that captures crucial differences in how differing mixes function. Our categorization is based on two dimensions: difference in support levels across technologies; and degree of exposure to the electricity price. Germany, the UK, Poland and France generally have technology-specific mixes, whereas those in Sweden and Norway are more technology-neutral. The literature on renewable energy and energy transition has paid considerable attention to technical and economic conditions and changes. However, we find that variance in economic-technological differences, growth rates for renewables in the domestic energy systems, initial energy source shares and changes in the costs of renewables technologies are inadequate for explaining the differences and similarities in support mixes across countries. Understanding these differences requires a policy framework that pays greater attention to politics and cultural as well as structural institutional features.
