The Energy of the Future and the Citizens

In Denmark, the aim is to set up 4 times more renewable energy power plants, such as windmills and solar panels, especially in the countryside. The placement of these power plants can cause local conflict since there are many interests at stake – among others the neighbors’. Therefore the Danish Board of Technology and the Region of Zealand will examine opportunities and limitations for establishing power plants in an inclusive manner, in 3 different municipalities: Holbæk, Kalundborg, and Vordingborg. Together with the municipality, the local stakeholders, citizens, and, politicians, we will investigate how to foster a more democratic development, where the inputs of citizens are considered when planning the establishment of renewable energy power plants.

The project starts in the autumn of 2022 and will run until the end of 2023, and will follow 4 phases: 

Phase 1: Background material on the status of renewable energy in the 3 municipalities is developed and serves as the basis for the subsequent stakeholder workshops. The municipalities influence which stakeholders are invited, as they have local knowledge. The workshop is focused on identifying goals, challenges, and solutions, that all feed into the updated Background material. 

Phase 2: The results are presented and debated with citizens during this citizen engagement phase, where plenaries will take place in each municipality. The focus is on ranking pros and cons as well as alternative solutions.  

Phase 3: The results are presented and discussed in a seminar with the administration and politicians of the municipality. This process will specify the solution frame for the municipality and point towards possibilities of cross-municipal solutions.    

Phase 4: the final phase will be a cross-municipal discussion of the possibilities of implementing the results of the project at a regional seminar for politicians and administrations.