Review of the Policies that have made Wind Energy Since 2000

This study presents an integrated review of global wind energy policies since the early 2000s, explaining why certain policy designs have accelerated deployment while others face constraints. The study uses a structural narrative review of international policy and academic literature and applies a structural framing that distinguishes policy accelerators and policy breakers. The analysis shows that early-stage instruments like feed-in tariffs were effective in market creation, while auctions and long-term contracts support cost reduction and scaling. However, misaligned policy sequencing, weak institutional capacity and inadequate supporting infrastructure transform accelerators into barriers, resulting in a decline in investor confidence. By synthesizing two decades of cross-country experiences across the wind energy sector, this review advances wind energy policy literature from instrument-specific assessment into highlighting the importance of policy credibility and institutional coordination to sustain long-term wind energy deployment.