This isn't an explanation at all. I can tell you that, for example, the UK's renewable energy push is operating on a timescale rather longer than that - a good

This isn't an explanation at all. I can tell you that, for example, the UK's renewable energy push is operating on a timescale rather longer than that - a good six years elapsed just between the government deciding to focus on offshore wind and the industry getting good enough to build it that it was cheaper than onshore (something which was predicted at the time) and it'll be a few more years before enough is built that we get substantial benefit from those lower costs. The more likely explanation is that it just isn't as easy as they're claiming. Admittedly, the government here seems to be getting zero benefit politically or in the public opinion from that long term planning.