Huang, P; Liu, Y; (2017) Renewable Energy Development in China: Spatial Clustering and Socio-Spatial Embeddedness. Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports , 4 (2) pp. 38-43. 10.1007/s40518-017-0070-8.

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Abstract

Purpose of review: In the past decade, China has made remarkable achievements in the development of renewable energies. This article adopts a geographical perspective for China’s current wave of renewable energy transitions, by viewing the transition outcomes through the lenses of spatial clustering and socio-spatial embeddedness. Recent findings: We find that many renewable energy industry clusters have emerged nationwide and different patterns are uncovered for the clustering in extant literature, either through bottom-up agglomeration around pioneering enterprises, or driven by top-down government strategy and planning. There is scant research on the reconfiguration of socio-spatial arrangements, which is an important but very often neglected facet of energy transitions. We further discuss the regional disparities in China’s renewable energy development, in which resource-rich regions are mainly in the north part of China, while central, eastern, and southern regions possess substantial advantages in fostering industry clusters. Summary: In the end, we propose two avenues for future research: firstly, to explore why different clustering patterns emerge in a certain region but not in another, and what implications these cases of clustering can draw for other regions in China or other latecomer countries; secondly, to uncover how renewable energy application and popularization shape local socio-spatial arrangements.

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