International Studies Quarterly
Home Field Advantage: How Developer Identity Shapes Public Opinion about Energy Projects in Major Emerging Economies
2025-11-11
Building new energy infrastructure in emerging economies is a key pillar of global sustainable development, with the current project pipeline encompassing both foreign and domestic-led projects. But despite widespread need, energy projects are frequently criticized and opposed by citizens. Drawing on a conjoint experiment fielded in three major emerging economies, we examine the behavioral foundations of the political process underlying energy infrastructure development and siting. This paper asks: how does the identity of the developer affect public opinion regarding energy infrastructure projects? We find that respondents strongly prefer domestic to foreign developers and express lower political support for politicians who bring in foreign-developed projects. Using statistical analyses and qualitative interviews, we establish the importance of concerns including pollution, employment, and project quality. These findings have implications for understanding public opposition to energy infrastructure as well as the role of international investment in accelerating the global green energy transition.