Some policy experiences in renewable energy transitions highlight the challenges that arise when governments create a policy to deliver multiple objectives – like energy security, economic prosperity, green jobs, industrial development, and mitigation of climate change at the same time. The result is a set of unfulfilled expectations about the role of renewables.

KAPSARC’s third workshop on fuel and technology transition, entitled Energy Transitions Policy: What Matters Most?, was held in Riyadh on October 14-15, 2014 and discussed the role of governments and policymakers in creating policy aimed at stimulating transitions. But as important as the design of renewable policies, is the need for stability in the objectives of those policies.

The workshop brought together experts from diverse backgrounds, including the International Energy Agency, European Commission, King Abdullah City for Atomic & Renewable Energy, First Solar Middle East FZ-LLC, Agora Energiewende, Shell Technology Centre, Deutches Institut fur Wirtschaftorschung, Iberdrola, Enel Green Power SpA, Egyptian Ministry of Electricity & Energy, Universidad de Vigo, TU Delft University, and Stanford University.