Conference article

Chinese policies and institutions for the deployment of renewable electricity are only partially compliant with what is internationally recognized as “best practice”; and divergences from the optimal policy and institutional model are frequently interpreted as obstacles to renewables in China. Much as a political economy perspective has aided understanding of why Chinese economic reforms were partial and unique; the contextualization of Chinese policies and institutions for renewables in the broader picture of China’s political economy (said contextualization being the purpose of this paper) might help explain why those policies and institutions diverge from best practice. Further; given that China proved successful in promoting its economic growth with partial and unique reforms; the partiality and uniqueness of its renewable policy and institutions need not impede the rapid development of renewable electricity. Our analysis combines a review of specialized literature and the business press with semi-structured interviews held with relevant actors in policy; business; and research related to renewable energies.

Renewable energy; Policies; Institutions; Political Economy; China