Diffusion of wind energy, a case of the Netherlands

Sammanfattning: Wind energy has not been able to diffuse widely in the Netherlands, despite the great history of harnessing wind power. To understand the factors responsible for the slow diffusion of wind energy in the Netherlands, a qualitative study has been performed through semi-structured interviews. Drawing on insights from regime influences, this study has applied the multi-level framework by Geels (2012) for the interpretation of the interview results. This study concludes that the major barriers to faster adoption of wind energy in the Netherlands include the core alliance formed between the Dutch government and energy companies that have resisted the pressures formed from climate change and negates the fundamental system change within the energy regime from wind energy. It further suggests that governmental support is necessary on the local level to enable wide diffusion of wind energy in the Netherlands. Future agendas in research should therefore pay more attention to the destabilization of gas regimes while future agendas in policy should consider focusing on the creation of supporting policies for local level initiatives regarding wind energy production.