Public participation not a brake on energy projects

15.09.2025

Source: E & M powernews

What are the benefits of participation processes for energy projects? Researchers have investigated this question with a clear result.

In most cases, participation procedures neither lead to delays nor slow down expansion. "Despite the effort involved, they are therefore a worthwhile investment", according to a study commissioned by Bündnis Bürgerenergie, the umbrella organization of German citizen energy organizations. "High-quality participation" can reduce conflicts, create acceptance and possibly provide impetus for the regional economy.

This can be read in the research project "Quo vadis, participation? Evaluation of participation in energy projects" (BePart), which was carried out by the Research Institute for Sustainability, the Ecolog Institute, the Citizens' Energy Alliance and the Renewables Grid Initiative. Around 200 projects throughout Germany were examined - including wind farms, ground-mounted photovoltaic systems and grid expansion projects.

"The participation of municipalities and citizens is becoming a central element in the implementation of the energy transition," says project manager Franziska Mey from the Research Institute for Sustainability. While participation is seen as the key to low-conflict expansion, it is often perceived as a risk for delays.

The analysis shows: In the case of wind power and photovoltaics, participation measures had no significant impact on project duration. In almost half of the cases, delays were caused by official approvals and planning processes. Only rarely did co-determination rights lead to delays.

"In the case of grid expansion, on the other hand, participation prolonged individual projects," it continues. The authors attribute this to the greater complexity and the large number of stakeholders involved. Nevertheless, participation is worthwhile because it promotes trust in the fair implementation of the energy transition.

Saturation effects cause problems

The analyses also made it clear that conflicts themselves are often the trigger for participation measures. Project sponsors responded with information events, dialog formats or mediation. In future, the researchers recommend combining these approaches with local value creation in a targeted manner - for example by awarding contracts locally or through direct financial participation.

In almost half of the wind and solar projects examined, funds are already flowing to the municipalities, in some cases on a mandatory basis as in Brandenburg. However, it is not the amount of the payments that is decisive for acceptance, but the regional dynamics: willingness to cooperate, skepticism or susceptibility to misinformation have more influence.

In regions with heavily developed wind energy, there are also saturation effects. According to the study, participation does little to change the general mood there. "Interviewees ruled out the possibility that participation measures could change this."

For such cases, the authors of the study recommend stronger project management and professionally moderated procedures. State governments should provide targeted resources for this, as many smaller municipalities do not have them.

The study "Quo vadis, participation? Evaluation of participation in energy projects" can be downloaded from the website of the Citizens' Energy Alliance.

Author: Stefan Sagmeister