Localisation Strategies of Firms in Wind Energy Technology Development

Abstract

The paper looks at the localization strategies of multinational wind in emerging countries of China and India. It explains why these firms are localising new manufacturing and R&D facilities in countries like China and India, and how local knowledge and capabilities are being increasingly integrated into global technology and manufacturing networks of multinationals. It explores the reasons behind the localization of MNC that helps them gain strategic access to wind technological capabilities in emerging economies. It looks closely at the case of Vestas in the expanding wind energy cluster of Tianjin in China and Chennai in India. At the strategic level, it explains the importance of the role of local capabilities and skills in the global production networks of multinationals. At the policy level, the discussions leading from the case focuses on the concrete steps necessary to integrate technology and innovation more closely into development of sustainable energy markets in developing countries.