Co-production in the wind energy sector: A systematic literature review of public engagement beyond invited stakeholder participation. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Solman, Helena; Smits, Mattijs; van Vliet, Bas; Bush, Simon
• Is Part Of: Energy research & social science. Volume 72(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Wind energy -- Public engagement -- Co-production -- Energy transition -- Participation; Power resources -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101876
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-6296

Abstract

Highlights: There is a limited understanding of public engagement beyond invited participation. We review a range of ways through which publics engage with wind energy. Three modes of co-production emerge from the review: local, collective and virtual. Modes of co-production span the stages of design, planning and ongoing management. Central to modes of co-production are concerns over technologies and landscapes. Abstract: Public concerns surrounding landscape conservation, noise pollution and impacts on bird populations are commonly incorporated into the planning phase of wind energy projects. However, public involvement tends to be highly localized and procedural, aimed at informing local stakeholders and gaining their acceptance for implementation. At the same time, other ways of engaging the public have emerged that move beyond invited stakeholder participation to facilitate the co-production of wind energy technologies and the landscapes in which they are placed. This paper systematically reviews the academic literature with the aim of identifying and characterizing these modes of co-production. A total of 230 papers published between 2009 and 2019 that report on public engagement with wind energy were included in our review. From this sample, we characterise public engagement into three modes of co-production: (1) local co-production, in spatially proximate wind energy projects; (2) collective co-production, performed through collaboration among different actors in the wind energy sector, joined ownership or consumption of wind energy; and (3) virtual co-production, mediated through information technology. These different modes of co-production cover a broad spectrum of ways in which local and non-local publics engage in decisions about where, when, how and by whom wind energy projects are designed, developed and managed over time. Combined, they can offer guidance for future research on how the wind energy sector can further support a transition to sustainable and inclusive energy systems.