Policies shaping energy transitions in ports and harbours: A 'whole systems' perspective from Norway

Current climate and energy policies aim for zero emission ports, emphasizing their key role in sustainable energy transition. However, the future demand and supply of energy is uncertain. The long-term interaction between transition policies, regulations, and techno-economic trends is difficult to foresee, making it challenging for ports to prioritise between alternative solutions and strategies. Moreover, ports are situated in local contexts, with different resources and capabilities. This paper reviews policy trends at the international, EU, and national levels, using Norway as the case in point. We apply a socio-technical 'whole systems' perspective to shed light on the current policy mix interacting with the energy system around ports, and the opportunities and challenges this implies for port companies. The discussion is based on a systematic reading of current policy documents, and interviews and workshops with four Norwegian ports. We consider interactions across production, distribution, and use of energy, paying special attention to the changing couplings between these subsystems. Based on the identified scope and strategies, we argue that more effort should be made to strengthen ports’ capabilities as interface actors. The paper contributes to current research on complex system interaction by providing an empirical study illuminating the dynamic interplay between institutional, technological, and actor-based couplings in ‘whole systems’ change. • Novel perspective on the role of policy in complex system transitions • Empirical study of ports, as crucial interface actors • Explores the complex interaction between institutional and actor couplings • New types of actor couplings, in form of hydrogen hubs and novel renewable port concepts • Need for new types of knowledge, enhanced power grid capacity, and financial risk reduction