Any way the wind blows? Flevoland and Drenthe: a most diverse case study on the implementation of onshore wind energy targets for 2020

Abstract

This research tries to explain the difference in outcomes of the renewable energy 2020 targets in the provinces of Flevoland and Drenthe for onshore wind energy. The theoretical framework used compliance theories on implementation of EU directives. The outcomes are measured based on the timeliness of practical implementation instead of legal implementation. While Flevoland achieved an approximate of 82% of its target, Drenthe achieved only an approximate 8%. To try to explain these different outcomes, the research focuses on the explanatory factors of the third wave of compliance, that is domestic politics. There are four factors within domestic politics studied: political controversy, political accountability, involvement of the public and veto players. For this qualitative case study, data was collected using semi-structured interviews and content analysis. The results were later compared an additional factors were uncovered using process tracing.