In a context of multiple crises, the European Union’s climate and energy policies have become highly politicized and contested. This is particularly true for the promotion of renewable energy sources (RES). Based on a comparative study of the Europeanization of renewable energy policies in ten EU member states, and taking a circular vision on Europeanization, this article unravels the renegotiation of power and authority in successive rounds of negotiation, adoption and implementation of RES policies at the European level. Our analysis focuses on the three main legislative instruments in this policy area: the 2001 Directive on Electricity Production from RES, the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive (RED), and the 2018 RED II. Based on longitudinal process-tracing, this paper explores (i) how and why authority was conferred to the EU; (ii) what types of contestation on the part of Member States has emerged; and (iii) how authority conflicts have been addressed. To get a better understanding of the authority turns between the EU and the national level, our analysis focuses on two main features of this policy: the nature of the EU RES target, which impacts on the EU’s capacity to set goals and watch compliance, and the debate on support systems, which relates to the EU’s authority to determine the means by which RES is promoted in the member states. Taking into account processes of policy feedback, we explore whether and how Europeanization amplifies the diffuseness of power and authority between the EU and its member states and assess how and under which conditions Europeanization can trigger de-Europeanization and a weakening of European integration.

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renewable energy policy,europeanization,energy policy,climate policy,policy feedback