Fuelling Transition: Assessing the private-public relationship of Royal Dutch Shell in the energy transition of the 21st century in the Netherlands

This research will explore the role of oil companies in the formulation of an energy transition policy discourse within the Netherlands in the twenty-first century. To adequately conduct this research, a theoretical framework shall be constructed from the studies of discourse and hegemony, the political economy, and socio-technical transitions, which will then be applied to the case study of Royal Dutch Shell’s political engagement. Upon comparing the main energy transition policy discourses of both the Dutch government and Shell three rather similar key points were found: the importance of cooperation of multiple actors within society to achieve the transition, the emphasis on the commercial viability of new and renewable energy projects, and a persisting future role of fossil fuel in the energy system and transition (especially for natural gas). Oil companies, and Shell specifically, have participated in the political arena through lobbying and private-public secondments, but also through direct participation in energy transition policy process. By placing the findings of the research in light of the theoretical framework the firm impression is given that the discourses communicated by both the government and Shell are linked and represent the vested interests of both actors in the energy transition process and future.