How Information and Cost and Benefit Distribution Institutions Influence Onshore Wind Park Development

Abstract

This thesis addresses the critical issue of advancing the transition to renewable energy by focusing on onshore wind park development. In countries like the Netherlands, where population density is high, wind energy projects often face resistance from local communities. Local Energy Cooperatives (LECs) have emerged as a potential solution, offering a way to involve citizens more directly in the ownership and development of energy resources. This approach is seen as a way to reduce opposition and enhance acceptance of wind energy projects. The core aim of the thesis is to explore how structuring local participation through LECs can contribute to accelerating the energy transition.

To investigate this, the research employs an institutional case study approach, drawing on Williamson’s New Institutional Economics Theory and Ostrom’s Institutional Grammar. These frameworks are used to analyse both formal institution, such as laws and regulations, and informal ones, such as norms and shared values that influence the development of wind parks. By examining three specific cases, the study assesses how communication and benefit distribution are managed in wind park projects and how public and private actors interact within the broader institutional context. The analysis integrates high-level national policies with the detailed processes occurring at the case level, offering a comprehensive view of how rules, norms, and strategies shape the interactions and agreements between multiple actors involved in wind park development.

The findings of the thesis highlight several key insights. Firstly, the size and authority of the jurisdiction overseeing a wind park project significantly impact its development. Larger authorities tend to have more resources, which enables them to manage the project more effectively and engage with local residents. Additionally, location-specific planning and permitting procedures, particularly where pre-selected sites have been identified in land use plans, facilitate the development process by making information more accessible and improving the dynamics between local residents and project initiators. Early stakeholder engagement and thorough upfront planning are also critical to the success of wind park projects. Transparent communication with local residents from the outset is essential to reducing opposition and building trust, while a lack of engagement tends to foster resistance and delay development. Another important finding is that the current policies governing participation and benefit distribution are often inadequately implemented. More flexible policies that allow for interpretation by local authorities and are guided by strong principles rather than strict regulations tend to yield better results. Early engagement with stakeholders, combined with tailored compensatory measures that reflect the specific needs of different resident groups, leads to more efficient project outcomes. Understanding the differences between local resident groups, such as those living close to the project versus those living in nearby cities, helps to ensure that compensatory measures are appropriate and that development processes are shortened.

The research carries important implications for advising policymakers and project initiators. It emphasises the need for early and continuous engagement with local residents to build trust and reduce opposition. Moreover, flexible policies that allow for interpretation and are supported by clear principles are more effective than rigid regulations. Educating municipalities and expanding successful strategies, such as the Regional Energy Strategies, can further enhance the effectiveness of wind park projects. These steps can help authorities select competent project initiators and improve the implementation of participation processes. The scientific contribution of this thesis lies in its novel approach of linking high-level national institutions with case-specific participatory processes. By combining these perspectives, the research provides a deeper understanding of how formal policies and spatial planning laws are translated into practical actions at the local level. This dual-level analysis sheds light on the interactions between different actors and institutions, offering insights that had not been studied in such detail before. In doing so, the thesis contributes valuable knowledge to the field of institutional analysis and renewable energy development.