Trade-Offs in German Wind Energy Expansion: Building Bridges Between Different Interests, Values and Priorities.

Abstract

Background: In order to achieve climate targets, a transition to low-carbon energy production is necessary. However, conflicts between different interests, values and priorities, particularly at the community level, can constrain this transition. This paper aims to analyze lines of conflict and opportunities for building bridges between conflicting interests in the expansion of wind energy in Germany at the local level, in order to achieve successful implementation of wind energy projects.Results: Our analysis of four cases of local-level wind energy projects in Germany shows that limited local options for action reinforce the need for local actors to maximize the benefits of energy transition projects. In addition to the conflict over scarce space, the lines of conflict at the local level run primarily along the dimensions of costs and benefits, winners and losers. Real or perceived procedural and distributive injustices have the potential to fuel resistance to wind energy projects in the selected cases. Wind energy projects were successfully implemented in the four selected cases despite the presence of local opposition.Conclusions: The results show that, by integrating procedural and distributive justice and offering tailored solutions, community support for expansion of renewable energy projects can be enhanced. Further, the paper advances the concept of societal sponsorship, which is the willingness of members of a community to bear, or tolerate, decisions despite conflicting opinions. This concept is presented as an alternative to the concept of acceptance, which implies a positive, supportive attitude, and that protest should be avoided or overcome instead of recognized as a contribution to the debate. Societal sponsorship can be enhanced when procedural and distributive justice are adequately addressed.