Our Issue Experts
Richard Bridle
Senior Policy Advisor and Lead, Renewable Energy
As Senior Policy Advisor and Lead, Renewable Energy, Richard Bridle supports IISD’s Geneva-based Global Subsidies Initiative. His research interests include efficient design of renewable energy support policies, biofuels, green industrial policy and energy subsidies. Richard has a background in the renewable energy industry with experience in policy analysis, project management, development and procurement. He has played key roles in the successful realization of a number of large scale renewable energy projects and has participated in national and international fora on renewable energy policy.
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Subsidy Swap: Reducing fossil fuel subsidies through energy efficiency and renewable energy in ZambiaThis report examines the potential of subsidy reform to improve cost recovery in the electricity sector and promote clean energy and energy efficiency in Zambia. -
Stories from G20 Countries: Shifting public money out of fossil fuelsThis analysis has brought together examples illustrating how G20 countries can learn from each other and align the flows of public money with climate targets and the Sustainable Development Goals. -
Not a Case of Either/Or: How government and mines in Zambia can save money through energy efficiencyFor years, Zambia’s large hydroelectric dams were able to meet the power needs of its mines, but facing rising electricity demands the country opted to increase generation using coal, diesel and heavy fuel oil. -
Kerosene to Solar PV Subsidy Swap: The business case for redirecting subsidy expenditure from kerosene to off-grid solarIf kerosene subsidies are being gradually removed, can a share of the subsidy savings not be reinvested in helping the most vulnerable households access electric lighting through off-grid solar technologies? This paper explores the idea of a “kerosene to solar subsidy swap” or a “subsidy swap.” -
Missing the 23 Per Cent Target: Roadblocks to the development of renewable energy in IndonesiaThis report seeks to answer the question of why renewable energy deployment, particularly wind and solar, has not taken off in Indonesia. To understand the forces shaping the sector, and what can be done to remedy the situation, IISD conducted interviews with politicians, civil servants, industry representatives, renewable energy developers, civil society organizations, international donors and other stakeholders. A total of 26 interviews took place, revealing the roots of the problem, the broader political economy of the energy sector and some possible ways forward. -
Kerosene to Solar Swap Policy Brief 3: Sustainable Lighting Solutions for Rural Homes in IndiaThis policy brief analyzes the current policy environment governing kerosene and off-grid solar use. It sets out a suite of detailed policy interventions that can be implemented to achieve a systemic transition from kerosene to solar for lighting in rural India. -
Kerosene to Solar Swap Policy Brief 1: Kerosene Subsidies in India: The status quo, challenges and the emerging path to reformThis policy brief examines the current system of kerosene subsidies in India, looking at key issues and the impact subsidies have on the distribution of clean, off-grid solar lighting solutions. -
At the Crossroads: Balancing the financial and social costs of coal transition in ChinaThe global decline of the coal industry has led to job losses and mine closures. As Shanxi in China considers how to create new employment in a coal dependent region we review international experience of the tranistion away from coal. -
The True Cost of Coal and Renewables in IndonesiaIndonesia is facing an energy crunch as demand for electricity rises across the country. The country is one of the world’s largest coal producers, and is developing plans for an additional 35 gigawatts (GW) of new coal-fired power stations. Proponents of the development claim that coal is the cheapest source of energy available. Is this really true? -
Financial Supports for Coal and Renewables in IndonesiaThis report shows that the “true cost” of coal, including subsidies and externalities such as GHG emissions and air pollution, is considerably greater than the cost of renewable energy in Indonesia. -
Making the Switch: From fossil fuel subsidies to sustainable energyThis report estimates fossil fuel subsidies to be around USD 425 billion. Such subsidies represent large lost opportunities for governments to invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable development. -
Subsidies to Coal Power Generation in ChinaThis comprehensive inventory of subsidies to coal generators in China shows that the coal industry receives considerable levels of government support. -
How to Pay the Bills? A survey of public attitudes to electricity tariff reform in RajasthanThis report presents the findings of a household survey that sheds light on the attitudes of electricity consumers toward tariff reform in the State of Rajasthan, India. -
Indonesia's Financially Sustainable Electricity SectorThis paper reviews the ability of Indonesia’s electricity sector to meet the country’s need for electricity in a financially sustainable way. -
Wind Power in China: A cautionary taleThis reports looks at some of the challenges that China has faced in expanding wind power. It identifies the ways that the government has sought to address these challenges and offers recommendations to support expanded wind power in China and elsewhere. -
An Assessment of the Financial Sustainability of the Electricity Sector in RajasthanThis report examines the performance of the electricity sector in Rajasthan, assessing its ability to recover operating costs, reliably meet demand, make investments and operate according to environmental and social norms. -
Subsidies to a Proposed Nuclear Power Plant Should Feature Large in UK Government’s ReviewAs the UK Government considers whether to proceed with Hinkley Point C—a proposed nuclear power plant—it should weigh the full cost of the project to the public purse. By our calculation the subsidies are likely to be at least £40 billion. -
Building on Momentum: Recommendations from the GSI for Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform at the G20This policy brief examines the progress made to phase-out inefficient and wasteful fossil fuel subsidies, the increasing momentum behind subsidy reform in international processes and the steps needed to ensure that the commitment is met. -
Supporting Energy Pricing Reform and Carbon Pricing Policies Through CreditingThis study examines the role that policy crediting might play in increasing the mitigation impact of energy pricing reform and carbon pricing policies. -
It’s Official: The United Kingdom is to subsidize nuclear power, but at what cost?A review of planned subsidies to the proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in the United Kingdom. -
Subsidies to Coal Production in ChinaThis report presents the first detailed estimate of subsidies to coal production in China, identifying an estimated USD 5.8 billion in in government support in 2013. -
Coal and Renewables in ChinaThis report explores the cost of coal in terms of subsidies and externalities and discusses the extent to which coal subsidies act as a barrier to the development of renewable energy. -
Tackling Fossil Fuel Subsidies and Climate Change: Levelling the energy playing fieldSubsidies for the consuption of fossil fuels were estimated at US$550 billion in 2013, according to the International Energy Agency. -
CEM and ECPA Side Event: Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform and Investments in Clean and Affordable EnergyRecent developments in fossil fuel subsidy reform and discussion of how to sustain the progress made, should oil prices rise again.Discussion of... -
Energy Pricing, Energy Supply and FDI Competitiveness in Viet Nam: An assessment of foreign investor sentimentForeign direct investment (FDI) has made a major contribution to Viet Nam’s impressive structural transformation and economic growth since the... -
Assessing the Cost-Effectiveness of Renewable Energy Deployment Subsidies: Solar PV in Germany and SpainThis study reviews deployment subsidies for solar PV in two European countries, Germany and Spain. It forms one of a series of three looking at the cost-effectiveness of renewable energy deployment subsidies, each one focusing on different technologies and countries. -
RE-ARCTIC: Promoting renewable energy, eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and benefitting communities in the NorthThe International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) presented its vision of renewable energy development to the Sustainable Development... -
Impact of fossil fuel subsidies on renewable electricity generation (webinar)This presentation from the Global Subsidies Initiative will explore in more detail the impact that fossil fuel subsidies have on renewable...
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The Impact of Fossil-Fuel Subsidies on Renewable Electricity GenerationFossil-fuel subsidies are prevalent in many countries.The International Energy Agency (IEA) has estimated that consumer subsidies to fossil fuels... -
Public Finance for Renewable Energy in China: Building on international experienceThe Chinese government has responded to the challenge of increasing energy consumption and environmental pollution with ambitious targets for... -
The Context of Fossil-Fuel Subsidies in the GCC Region and Their Impact on Renewable Energy DevelopmentThis discussion paper looks at fossil-fuel pricing and subsidies in the political, social and economic context of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)... -
A Financially Sustainable Power Sector: Developing assessment methodologiesThis paper explores the concept of financial sustainability and proposes a framework to analyze electricity sectors based on this model.The concept... -
Green Revenues for Green Energy: Environmental fiscal reform for renewable energy technology deployment in ChinaChina's economy continues to grow rapidly with corresponding increases in both energy consumption and environmental pollution.Renewable energy is a... -
Biofuels - At What Cost? A review of costs and benefits of U.K. biofuel policiesThis report evaluates some of the principal issues associated with the U.K.'s biofuel industry, including support policies, employment creation,... -
Biofuels—At What Cost? A review of costs and benefits of EU biofuel policiesBiofuels—At What Cost? A review of costs and benefits of EU biofuel policies analyzes a range of costs and benefits associated with European Union ... -
Cultivating Governance: Cautionary tales for biofuel policy reformersThe policy brief analyzes the current developments around the emerging U-turns on government support to biofuels internationally.Based on desk... -
State of Play on Biofuel Subsidies: Are policies ready to shift?June 19, 2012 - RIO DE JANEIRO - The GSI report State of Play on Biofuel Subsidies: Are policies ready to shift? was launched at a special...
Education
Master of Science – Renewable Energy Systems Technology (2011): Loughborough University.
Bachelor of Engineering – Mechanical Engineering (2005): University of Manchester.