Why do residents participate in high-voltage transmission line planning procedures? Findings from two power grid expansion regions in Germany

Abstract

To increase acceptance and reduce opposition towards power grid expansion, various opportunities for citizen participation have been implemented within grid-expansion-related planning procedures. Previous studies have found that residents' participation can lead to an increase in acceptance and a reduction in conflict, particularly if the participation processes are perceived as fair and just. A question that has not been answered sufficiently so far, however, is why residents participate in information and participation measures offered throughout the planning process of transmission line projects. This question is addressed in the present study. On the basis of the ‘Civic Voluntarism Model’, this study derives research propositions on potential determinants of participation and empirically tests them by drawing on data collected from residents in two German regions affected by grid expansion. The results show that specific resources available to residents, psychological motivation factors, and recruiting social networks can significantly influence the probability of participation. Since the studies in both regions arrived at very similar results, the findings possess a high degree of external validity. Overall, the study presents novel insights into the mechanisms of citizen participation in power grid planning and provides policymakers, regulators, and transmission system operators with relevant practical knowledge.