Interactions between renewable energy policy and renewable energy industrial policy: A critical analysis of China's policy approach to renewable energies Zhang, Sufang [School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, #2 Beinong Road, Changping District, Beijing 102206 (China)]; Institute for Low Carbon Economy and Trade, North China Electric Power University, Beijing (China)]; Andrews-Speed, Philip [Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore, 29 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Block A #10-01, Singapore 119620 (Singapore)]; Zhao, Xiaoli [School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, #2 Beinong Road, Changping District, Beijing 102206 (China)]; Institute for Low Carbon Economy and Trade, North China Electric Power University, Beijing (China)]; He, Yongxiu [School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, #2 Beinong Road, Changping District, Beijing 102206 (China)] 29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; CARBON; CHINA; ENERGY POLICY; INDUSTRY; MANUFACTURING; RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES This paper analyzes China's policy approach to renewable energies and assesses how effectively China has met the ideal of appropriate interactions between renewable energy policy and renewable energy industrial policy. First we briefly discuss the interactions between these two policies. Then we outline China's key renewable energy and renewable industrial policies and find that China's government has well recognized the need for this policy interaction. After that, we study the achievements and problems in China's wind and solar PV sector during 2005–2012 and argue that China's policy approach to renewable energies has placed priority first on developing a renewable energy manufacturing industry and only second on renewable energy itself, and it has not effectively met the ideal of appropriate interactions between renewable energy policy and renewable energy industrial policy. Lastly, we make an in-depth analysis of the three ideas underlying this policy approach, that is, the green development idea, the low-carbon leadership idea and indigenous innovation idea. We conclude that Chinas' policy approach to renewable energies needs to enhance the interactions between renewable energy policy and renewable energy industrial policy. The paper contributes to a deeper understanding of China's policy strategy toward renewable energies. -- Highlights: •Interactions between renewable energy policy and renewable energy industrial policy are discussed. •China's key renewable energy and renewable energy industrial policies are outlined. •Two empirical cases illustrate China's policy approach to renewable energies. •We argue that China needs to enhance the interactions between the two policies. •Three ideas underlie China's policy approach to renewable energies. Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2013.07.063 United Kingdom 2013-11-01 English Journal Article Journal Name: Energy Policy; Journal Volume: 62; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Medium: X; Size: page(s) 342-353 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENPOL.2013.07.063 PII: S0301-4215(13)00706-4 [] 62 Journal ID: ISSN 0301-4215; CODEN: ENPYAC; Other: PII: S0301-4215(13)00706-4; TRN: GB14R5906035194 INIS 2015-05-07 22328965