Table of Contents Tables, figures, maps and annexes Acknowledgements 1. Wind power in perspective: background and literature review 1.1 Introduction and background on renewables 1.1.1 Renewable energy sources 1.1.2 Rise of environmental concern 1.2 Diffusion of renewables: studies and approaches 1.2.1 Policy support for renewables: studies and discussions 1.2.2 Innovation systems approaches: diffusion of wind power technology 1.2.3 Ecological modernisation: theory, discourse, and policy 1.3 Planning for wind power: the local context 1.3.1 Spatial planning domain 1.3.2 Perceptions, attitudes and behaviour 1.3.3 Local planning and project development approach 1.4 Institutional capacity for wind power implementation 2. Theoretical considerations and conceptual framework 2.1 Introduction 2.2 New institutionalisms 2.2.1 Three strands of new institutionalism 2.2.2 Institutionalist approach in our research 2.3 Theoretical frameworks on policy and planning 2.4 Conceptual framework 3. Research method and design 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Multiple case study research 3.3 Single cases and cross-comparison 3.3.1 Single case studies 3.3.2 Cross-comparison and conclusions 3.4 Data and analysis 3.5 Reliability and validity 4. Wind energy in the Netherlands 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Stories on wind power 4.3 Domains: energy, planning and environment 4.3.1 Energy domain 4.3.2 Spatial planning domain 4.3.3 Environmental policy domain 4.3.4 Discussion: policy domains and policy framing 4.4 Policy communities 4.5 Changes in capacity building for wind energy 5. Wind energy in England 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Stories on wind 5.3 Policy domains: energy, planning and environment 5.3.1 Energy domain 5.3.2 Spatial planning domain 5.3.3 Environmental policy domain 5.3.4 Discussion: three domains converging? 5.4 Policy communities 5.5 Institutional capacity building 6. Wind energy in North Rhine-Westphalia 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Stories on wind 6.3 Policy domains: energy, planning and environment 6.3.1 Energy domain 6.3.2 Spatial planning domain 6.3.3 Environmental policy domain 6.3.4. Discussion: policy domains and policy framing 6.4 Policy communities 6.5 Institutional capacity building: losing touch 7. Identifying perspectives across cases 7.1 Steps involved in Q sort analysis 7.2 Four distinct views on wind power implementation 7.3 Concluding remarks 8. Comparison on institutional capacity building 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Comparison of stories and relation to Q sort analysis 8.2.1 Differences in stories among the cases 8.3 Comparing arrangements in the policy domains 8.3.1 Energy domain 8.3.2 Planning domain 8.3.3 Environmental policy domain 8.3.4 Policy communities and mobilisation of support 8.4 Conceptual framework and empirical inquiry 9. Institutionalising capacities for wind power implementation in changing contexts 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Conclusions on institutional capacity building 9.3 Wider relevance of the conclusions 9.4 Adopting a strategy of institutional capacity building References List of Abbreviations Annex A Coded Arguments Annex B Respondents Annex C Q sort statements (randomly numbered) Nederlandse samenvatting Summary