Trade-offs in German wind energy expansion: building bridges between different interests, values and priorities

Abstract

Background: 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 to build bridges between conflicting interests in the expansion of wind energy in Germany at the local level, 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 had the potential to fuel resistance to wind energy projects in the analyzed cases. However, wind energy projects were successfully implemented despite the presence of local opposition. Conclusions:The results show that, by integrating procedural and distributive justice into the project planning and implementation and offering tailored solutions, community support for expansion of renewable energy projects can be enhanced. The paper advances the concept of societal ownership ("gesellschaftliche Trägerschaft"), which suggests the willingness of members of a community to tolerate decisions even when some conflicts related to the decision remain unresolved. Societal ownership is presented as an alternative to the concept of simple acceptance; it implies a more positive, more supportive community attitude, where members aim to address conflict as a normal aspect of decision making. Rather than sweeping alternative opinions aside, the community addresses alternative viewpoints, seeking to achieve greater procedural and distributive justice. In this way, a sense of societal ownership of a project can develop, enhancing its likelihood of success.

Integration of disamenity costs and equality regarding onshore wind power expansion and distribution into energy system optimization models

“…This study has limitations that should be considered when interpreting the presented results. We omitted environmental criteria entirely and analyzed the impact of disamenity costs and equality of onshore wind power individually, which in practice have interdependencies and together contribute to community and socio-political acceptance [50]. Generally, disamenity costs are characterized by uncertainty and have a relatively narrow definition in this study by, e.g., not considering the impact of wind turbines on landscape aesthetics.…”

Nature conservation versus climate protection: a basic conflict of goals regarding the acceptance of climate protection measures?

“…In addition to the choice of renewable energy technologies and certain locations ( van der Horst, 2007 ), several other factors can have a critical influence on both the socio-political acceptance of technologies and measures and the overall success of the transition process: the actual design of the transformation process (participation, procedural and distributive justice; Heleno et al, 2022 ; Reitz et al, 2022 ), the characteristics and perceptions of a problem ( Wolsink, 2007 ; Beer, 2021 ), and the choice of policy instruments ( Böcher, 2012 ; Barnea et al, 2022 ; Berker and Böcher, 2022 ). Social opposition against renewable energy – concerning local plants or renewable energy technologies and climate protection measures in general – or other innovative technologies can be based on different motives, different values, and conflicting goals ( Baasch, 2021 ; Baasch et al, 2021 ; Berntsen et al, 2021 ; Sovacool et al, 2022 ; Zawadzki et al, 2022 ).…”

Coordination Challenges in Wind Energy Development: Lessons from Cross-Case Positive Planning Approaches to Avoid Multi-Level Governance ‘Free-Riding’

“…Spatial and land-use planning play a critical role in identifying suitable areas for renewable energy while considering other sustainability interests [8,9]. But in countries with multi-level governance, this can be a challenging task due to varying interests among stakeholders at different levels, especially in cases involving spatial trade-offs, landscape and wildlife concerns [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. These issues can lead to 'free-riding', causing single states/regions/municipalities to benefit from renewable energy, but not contributing equally, which requires others to invest more and to bear a higher burden [18][19][20].…”

“…These issues can lead to 'free-riding', causing single states/regions/municipalities to benefit from renewable energy, but not contributing equally, which requires others to invest more and to bear a higher burden [18][19][20]. Coordination problems can arise between higher national energy policy and lower levels, where the national level prioritizes achieving national development targets, while lower levels focus on the immediate impact to the local area [17].…”