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Abstract

Norway and Alberta, a Canadian province, are united by significant economic reliance on their respective fossil fuel industries, and a commitment to sustaining fossil fuel production in a world facing increasingly stronger decarbonization pressures. Yet, their policies for renewable electricity development diverge sharply: Norway has subsidized an offshore wind industry characterized by high costs and poor profitability outlooks, while Alberta has introduced restrictive regulations on a rapidly growing wind and solar sector that has generated jobs, investments and economic growth. This thesis examines how electoral and fossil fuel industry interests, policymakers’ ideas, and the influence of higher-level political institutions have helped drive these diverging policy trajectories. The findings suggest that the difference reflects a fundamental difference in decarbonization pressures, creating contexts that are more and less conducive to renewable electricity development. Norway’s stronger pressures, shaped by electoral interests and integration with EU climate policy have spurred large-scale electrification, requiring increased electricity production to meet rising demand. In this context, strong public opposition to onshore wind and the potential for offshore wind to provide transition pathways for Norway’s oil and gas supply and shipbuilding industry situate the technology as the most feasible way to advance Norway’s interests and policy goals. In contrast, Alberta faces weaker decarbonization pressures, evidenced by widespread scepticism towards anthropogenic climate change and the decentralized nature of Canadian federalism which insulates Alberta from federal and international emission targets. In turn, the election of a right-wing government with limited transition aspirations and a strong commitment to maintaining natural gas as the primary source of electricity generation has reinforced local electoral pressures, culminating in restrictive regulations on renewable electricity development. While Norway attempts to leverage offshore wind to protect national interests and achieve multiple policy objectives simultaneously, Alberta’s weaker decarbonization pressures limit the role and significance of renewables.