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ABSTRACT
The authors employ the global production network (GPN) approach to analyse the development of the renewable energy sector. Through a case study of the development of a Hywind floating offshore wind project (Hywind) across two oil and gas economies, namely Norway and Scotland, the paper sheds light on the key drivers and role of core GPN actors. Methodologically, the authors investigate the process from both ‘inside-out’ and ‘outside-in’ perspectives, referring to the efforts of firms expanding into overseas markets and the efforts of host countries to attract investment from outside their territories. The analysis shows how the configuration of extractive production networks is shaped by the interactions between the network development practices of firms and the market development strategies of host states. The authors conclude that the distinct materiality of floating wind power technology shapes the territorial configuration of the production network by enabling its spatial extension across a range of locations. By contrast, existing research on other extractive sectors has emphasized the spatially constraining effects of materiality (Bridge 2008).
EDITORS:
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the editor, the guest editors, and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions during the development of this article. They also gratefully acknowledge the funding of the research on which this article based, which was provided by the Research Council of Norway (Norges Forskningsråd) through their ENERGIX programme. Additionally, Rita Hokseggen is thanked for her assistance with the Figures.
Notes
1 The global offshore wind farm map and database were accessed via the at 4COffshore home page at https://www.4coffshore.com/windfarms/hywind-scotland-pilot-park-united-kingdom-uk76.html (accessed June 2017 – June 2018).