While there is a widespread agreement that public engagement is crucial for a sustainable and just energy transition, the quality of the engagement matters. Recent research demonstrates that the quality of participatory planning is crucial for the acceptability and support of energy technologies and infrastructures, as well as the legitimacy of transition processes. For this reason, a stronger understanding of the impact of public engagement in energy infrastructure development cases can help improve future outcomes.
This research assesses 98 cases of public engagement in energy infrastructure projects. The case studies mainly focus on renewable energy production (e.g. wind and solar) and electricity grids, as these technologies are both widely available and central to decarbonizing energy systems. In addition, six cases integrate energy production, distribution or storage, and six “exploration” case studies on hydrogen production, storage, and carbon capture, usage and storage were selected.
As part of the study, the research team developed and applied a novel framework to assess the impact of public engagement in energy infrastructure projects. This study finds that public engagement can positively impact the project development process and its outcomes.