The stuttering energy transition in Germany: Wind energy policy and feed-in tariff lock-in.

Nordensvard, Johan; Urban, Frauke

Abstract

This article aims to examine whether the formulation of specific low carbon policy such as the feed-in tariff for wind energy in Germany can partly be a barrier to a comprehensive energy transition (Energiewende). Despite their short and medium-term success, these policies could create a long-term lock-in if they are formulated in a way that leads to a stagnation of systems innovation. The research finds that while the share of wind energy has increased rapidly over time, the feed-in-tariff and other low carbon policies and incentives have not been sufficient to achieve a socio-technical regime transition in Germany yet. We suggest that the German feed-in-tariff has incorporated wind energy (a niche-innovation) and wind energy actors (pathway newcomers) into a slightly modified socio-technical regime that is rather similar to the earlier ‘fossil fuel dominant’ socio-technical regime.

Citation

Nordensvard, J., & Urban, F. (2015). The stuttering energy transition in Germany: Wind energy policy and feed-in tariff lock-in. Energy Policy, 82, 156-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.03.009

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Mar 28, 2015
• Deposit Date: Mar 31, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 12, 2025
• Journal: Energy Policy
• Print ISSN: 0301-4215
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-6777
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 82
• Pages: 156-165
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.03.009