Interactions between renewable energy policy and renewable energy industrial policy: A critical analysis of Chinaʹs policy approach to renewable energies

This paper analyzes Chinaʹs policy approach to renewable energies and assesses how effectively China has met the ideal of appropriate interactions between renewable energy policy and renewable energy industrial policy. First we briefly discuss the interactions between these two policies. Then we outline Chinaʹs key renewable energy and renewable industrial policies and find that Chinaʹs government has well recognized the need for this policy interaction. After that, we study the achievements and problems in Chinaʹs wind and solar PV sector during 2005–2012 and argue that Chinaʹs policy approach to renewable energies has placed priority first on developing a renewable energy manufacturing industry and only second on renewable energy itself, and it has not effectively met the ideal of appropriate interactions between renewable energy policy and renewable energy industrial policy. Lastly, we make an in-depth analysis of the three ideas underlying this policy approach, that is, the green development idea, the low-carbon leadership idea and indigenous innovation idea. We conclude that Chinasʹ policy approach to renewable energies needs to enhance the interactions between renewable energy policy and renewable energy industrial policy. The paper contributes to a deeper understanding of Chinaʹs policy strategy toward renewable energies.