Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1093/oxrep/grz002
Document author version
Title (Primary) Should renewable energy policy be ‘renewable’?
Author Gawel, E.; Lehmann, P.
Source Titel Oxford Review of Economic Policy
Year 2019
Department OEKON
Volume 35
Issue 2
Page From 218
Page To 243
Language englisch
Keywords commitment; EU Emissions Trading Scheme; feed-in tariff; flexibility; Germany; Renewables Obligation; United Kingdom
Abstract Political flexibility brings about trade-offs for policy-makers aiming to support the deployment of renewable energy sources (RES). On the one hand, it allows incorporating new information on ex ante uncertain benefits and costs of RES policy. On the other hand, it may deter RES investments. This paper scrutinizes how these trade-offs play out economically and politically when RES policy-makers choose the degree of flexibility as well as the instruments to implement flexibility. The analysis builds on a theoretical framework distinguishing between flexibility by design and by adjustment. It is complemented by a discussion of three case studies: RES support schemes in Germany and the United Kingdom, and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Theoretical as well as empirical results suggest that the politically chosen degree of flexibility by policy design may be sub-optimally low. In contrast, flexibility by policy adjustment is often excessively high.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=21817
Gawel, E., Lehmann, P. (2019):
Should renewable energy policy be ‘renewable’?
Oxf. Rev. Econ. Policy 35 (2), 218 - 243 10.1093/oxrep/grz002