Abstract
Many hydrocarbon-rich countries have recognized the global shift towards renewable energy sources, and Russia is not an exception. Drawing on two strands of literature—technological innovation systems and the advocacy coalition framework—we investigate the roles of actors and coalitions in shaping the Russian renewable energy policy and explore why particular renewable energy sources have progressed more than others, and what the main reasons are for their sudden development. The results show that the more successful renewable energy industries are those that were promoted by influential actors from traditional energy industries. Moreover, these actors also promoted the specific design of support schemes for renewable energy policy in Russia. We discuss the importance of policy process theories for understanding energy transition studies and provide specific policy recommendations for policy creation in the renewables industry.
Highlights
The technological innovation systems (TIS) framework needs to be better positioned within its institutional contexts to be more policy-relevant [15]. This critique has been partially addressed by Markard et al [16], and our study aims to further analyze the impact of political processes on TIS functional dynamics, which at present are understudied in the TIS literature
The study aimed to incorporate a political dimension into TIS analysis by more closely investigating the roles of actors and coalitions in influencing policy change
In order to achieve this aim, analysis of the ‘creation of legitimacy’ (F7) system function was complemented with the main features of advocacy coalition framework (ACF) theory, because this framework focuses on ideas and beliefs in the process of the policy change and helps us to understand how policy beliefs can change over time
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Given the multi-component and multi-scalar nature of TIS [17,18,19], it is important to analyze specific policy mixes provided by a set of institutions in which TIS is embedded To address this issue, scholars in the sustainability transition field e.g., [4,20] suggest combining (or borrowing some ideas from) sustainability transition frameworks with wellknown policy process theories. That the ACF provides a framework in which to address these questions is, in turn, a good match with the aim of our study, which is to incorporate political aspects into TIS analysis by more closely investigating the roles of actors and coalitions and how they explain specific policy changes.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
