PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION IN LATIN AMERICA: LESSONS FROM THE WIND ENERGY AND THE GREEN HYDROGEN SECTORS IN ARGENTINA

Resumen

The energy transition has emerged as a global trend, requiring a profound transformation of the energy matrix by gradually eliminating fossil fuels and incorporating diverse technologies for power generation from renewable sources. This paper delves into the technological learning and innovation processes observed during Argentina's wind industry emergence and consolidation to develop hypotheses about the interplay between demand and the technological cycle in driving innovation around renewable energy technologies, for example the green hydrogen industry, in peripheral countries. Based on a case study methodology, our analysis suggests that natural resource-based firms may not be as critical in the technological learning process, particularly during the emergence phase of the cycle. Instead, knowledge-intensive suppliers play a more significant role in the innovation process surrounding the transformation of energy-related natural resources. However, questions remain regarding the specificity of energy-related natural resources and their potential to create opportunities for the emergence of local knowledge networks.