Utilities' and energy intensive firms' ties to the government influence energy policies.

What is it about?

I analysed large firms' ties to the government in policy networks. Large firms' used their ties (shareholdings, employment) to gain policy support for technologies of their interests. Consumers were formally included in policy networks but their' interests were largely ignored.

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Why is it important?

Networked / negotiated policymaking can be undemocratic. Not all actors have equal possibilities to participate in policymaking and influence policies. The article depicts how economic interests of few firms can slow down the development of consumer-owned and renewable power generation technologies. Consumer-ownership is important to increase competition in the industry. Renewable power generation is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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