Technology transfer in the clean development mechanism: Insights from wind power

► We develop a novel framework to distinguish different types of technology transfer mechanisms in CDM wind power projects. ► We conduct an empirical analysis of wind power CDM technology transfer using original CDM and non-CDM data. ► We show that transfer mechanisms are more diverse than acknowledged in previous literature. ► Diversity in transfer mechanisms is an effect of the pre-existing industrial and technological capabilities. ► CDM projects in China and India tend to utilise transfer mechanisms opened up prior to and independent of CDM projects.