Implementation of wind energy in the Netherlands: the importance of the social–institutional setting

Abstract

This paper analyses the differences in performance of the different types of wind power entrepreneurs now active on the wind power supply market in the Netherlands. The development of the market is divided into three successive market periods: Monopoly powers (1989( -1995( ), Interbellum (1996( -1997 and Free market (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002). For each of these periods, the interdependency between various systemic conditions-technical, economic, institutional and social conditions-is analysed, with the focus on the relative importance of the institutional and social settings for market development. This interdependency is analysed using the implementation capacity concept. Implementation capacity is defined as the total of those systemic conditions and mutual interdependencies that influence the behaviour of wind power entrepreneurs. It indicates the feasibility for wind power entrepreneurs to adopt wind turbines. From the analysis it was concluded that no overall implementation capacity exists, and implementation capacities differ for entrepreneurial groups with different entrepreneurial features. With respect to the relative importance of institutional and social conditions, it became clear, that it is mainly these conditions that differentiate between the various entrepreneurial groups. The dynamic configuration of institutional and social conditions facilitates some and hinders other types of wind power entrepreneurs, and as a result determines the development and composition of the market. Finally, the analysis explains the changing roles of entrepreneurial groups throughout the 1990s. r

What drives the development of community energy in Europe? The case of wind power cooperatives

“…Various factors have been explored to explain such disparity. Formal institutional rules, such as support mechanisms for renewables and spatial planning, along with societal norms including attitudes towards the cooperative model and cultures of local energy activism, have been identified as major influences on the occurrence of locally owned community energy [11,12,13,9,14,7]. Other explanations include (bio-) physical conditions, and the actors' ability to act strategically to changes in their environment.…”

“…Indeed, anti-nuclear activism is often accompanied by increased interest in alternative energy. In the Netherlands, for instance, the origin of wind cooperatives is strongly linked to an anti-nuclear movement, the Dutch Organization for Renewable Energy (ODE) [11].…”

Who invests in renewable electricity production? Empirical evidence and suggestions for further research

“…For that, knowledge about the demand side of innovation, in terms of the actors who invest in RES-E and their investment decision-making processes, is needed (cf. Agterbosch et al, 2004;Enzensberger et al, 2002).…”

“…Agterbosch et al, 2004). However, no systematic and empirically based categorization of different types of investors in all types of RES-E has been made to date.…”

The challenging paradigm of interrelated energy systems towards a more sustainable future

“…banks willingness to provide loans or the financial potential of citizens to purchase shares in projects), the public opinion and support for renewables, and the knowledge about potential benefits of CRE schemes. In the context of the latter, several studies suggest that small-scale community-based wind power projects receive strong levels of support from local people [162][163][164], and that local opposition towards wind energy projects, the so-called NIMBY ("not in my back yard attitude"), has been reduced through local participation, participatory decision-making processes, and (equal or fair) distribution of economic benefits [165][166][167][168].…”