From Laggard to Leader: Explaining Offshore Wind Developments in the UK

Energy Policy, 2014

Science and Technology Policy Research, Working Paper Series No. 2014-02

42 Pages Posted: 23 Feb 2016

See all articles by Florian Kern

Florian Kern

University of Sussex - Science and Technology Policy Research Unit (SPRU)

Adrian Smith

Science Policy Research Unit

Chris Shaw

University of Sussex - Science and Technology Policy Research Unit (SPRU)

Rob Raven

Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) - Eindhoven Center for Innovation Studies (ECIS)

Bram Verhees

Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) - Eindhoven Center for Innovation Studies (ECIS)

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: February 01, 2013

Abstract

Offshore wind technology has recently undergone rapid deployment in the UK. And yet, up until recently, the UK was considered a laggard in terms of deploying renewable energy. How can this burst of offshore activity be explained? An economic analysis would seek signs for newfound competitiveness for offshore wind in energy markets. A policy analysis would highlight renewable energy policy developments and assess their contribution to economic prospects of offshore wind. However, neither perspective sheds sufficient light on the advocacy of the actors involved in the development and deployment of the technology. Without an account of technology politics it is hard to explain continuing policy support despite rising costs. By analysing the actor networks and narratives underpinning policy support for offshore wind, we explain how a fairly effective protective space was constructed through the enrolling of key political and economic interests.

Keywords: UK renewable energy policy, offshore wind, technology politics

Suggested Citation

Kern, Florian and Smith, Adrian and Shaw, Chris and Raven, Rob and Verhees, Bram, From Laggard to Leader: Explaining Offshore Wind Developments in the UK (February 01, 2013). Energy Policy, 2014, Science and Technology Policy Research, Working Paper Series No. 2014-02, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2736298 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2736298

Florian Kern

University of Sussex - Science and Technology Policy Research Unit (SPRU) ( email )

Mantell Building
Falmer
Brighton BN1 9RH UK, Sussex
United Kingdom

Adrian Smith (Contact Author)

Science Policy Research Unit ( email )

Brighton, BN1 9SL
United Kingdom

Chris Shaw

University of Sussex - Science and Technology Policy Research Unit (SPRU) ( email )

Mantell Building
Falmer
Brighton BN1 9RH UK, Sussex
United Kingdom

Rob Raven

Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) - Eindhoven Center for Innovation Studies (ECIS) ( email )

NL-5600 MB Eindhoven
Netherlands

Bram Verhees

Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) - Eindhoven Center for Innovation Studies (ECIS) ( email )

NL-5600 MB Eindhoven
Netherlands

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