Energy Justice as Part of the Acceptance of Wind Energy: An Analysis of Limburg in The Netherlands

Nikki Kluskens,Rowan Benning,Véronique Vasseur

doi:10.3390/en12224382

Abstract

Policy documents in Limburg stress the importance of participation and distribution of benefits in wind energy projects, but it is not clear which modes of participation and distribution of benefits are most just, both in terms of perceived justice, and in terms of justice principles. Research shows that considering justice in renewable energy transitions increases the level of acceptance. This study aims to provide insight in what modes of participation and distribution are perceived as most just and likely to create local acceptance of wind parks. The most preferred modes are being compared to the indicators of the energy justice framework in order if they meet the criteria for a fair procedure and distribution of outcomes. Based on semi-structured interviews the analysis of the data demonstrated that different modes of participation in different phases of the process are being preferred and that a balance between modes of distribution of benefits is preferred. The results indicate that the most preferred modes of participation cannot necessarily address all indicators of procedural justice and that depending on the mode of distribution of benefits and the balance between those modes indicators of distributive justice can be addressed.

Highlights

By virtue of European agreements, The Netherlands has to produce 14% renewable energy by2020 [1,2]
Local opposition to renewable energy projects is often characterised by Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY)-ism, which implies an abstract acceptance of renewable energy by the public, but ‘not in my backyard’ attitudes on the local and the concrete level [9]
It is too simplistic to assume that local opposition of citizens and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to renewable energy projects is only a selfish consideration

Summary

Introduction

By virtue of European agreements, The Netherlands has to produce 14% renewable energy by2020 [1,2]. In order to reach this goal, the Province of Limburg has committed itself to produce 95.5 MW of wind energy by 2020 [3,4,5,6,7]. The feasibility of this goal seems realistic, since one wind park has been realized and six have been permitted [4]. It is too simplistic to assume that local opposition of citizens and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to renewable energy projects is only a selfish consideration. Complex institutional practices are in particular relevant for explaining NIMBY-ism [10]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion