Transformacja energetyczna w polskiej gminie. Skutki polityki lokalnej opartej o odnawialne źródła energii na przykładzie Kisielic

Abstract

The increasing role of renewable energy sources implies significant socio-economic changes at the local level. In Poland, a great importance in that area is attached to wind turbines and biofuel-based combined heat and power stations. Localization of these investments often leads to social conflicts. The aim of this study is to assess the consequences of local policy in Kisielice, which in the years 1998 to 2015 gave priority to RES development. Considering this problem from the perspective of the energy justice framework and the law on wind energy investments, a case study has been investigated. The case study consists of: (1) literature review, including nine interviews with the local authorities (2) statistical and spatial analysis (3) fieldwork in five villages located in the direct neighbourhood of wind energy turbines. The results show that long-term local energy policy in Kisielice, implemented with an intensity comparable to the German Energiewende, has met the most of social acceptance conditions. Support for RES in the villages susceptible to anthropogenic influence displays similar patterns to trends at the national level. However, the inhabitants have a sense of injustice resulting from the fact that only a small group obtains benefits from the use of wind turbines. According to the author’s opinion, a compromise between restrictive provisions of the law on wind energy investments and local community’s interests can only be based on creating the atmosphere of trust and partnership, as well as implementing mechanisms of direct compensations for negative external effects created by renewable installations.