The institutional and socio-technical determinants of renewable energy production in the EU: implications for policy

Abstract Despite the consensus that transition to renewable energy is a process encompasses institutional, regulatory, technical, political, social, and cultural aspects, such issues have rarely been addressed in comprehensive way. This study explores determinants of production (REP), focusing on institutional socio-technical aspects. We employ panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model test dynamic relationships for period 1990–2015 among several variables, as emerged literature: REP, policy stringency, public awareness, lobbying, education, controlling income imports. Focusing indiscriminately 18 European Union (EU) member states, results show environmental stringency does not influence while education impact negatively. evidence counter-intuitive, would be surprising if we did consider strong heterogeneity between countries. EU states are engaging at different speeds, depending their individual starting point: this differs from country terms installed capacity security. Moving recent Green Deal, divide sample into two panels based imports account points: countries less active side (that depends particularly imports), more side. Results first an increase lead decrease lobbying REP. Policy efforts must clearly established consistently preserved support least there increasing returns exploit. second negatively affects awareness will promote Therefore, priority should given ‘social’ aspect, policymakers reduce proportion generated oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear fuel.