Energy Transformation and Planning Conflicts: How to achieve the Transformation towards Renewable Energies in a Conflicting Environment?

Abstract

Against the background of climate change many countries, regions and communities have set ambitious agendas to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies. Large-scale renewable energy projects such as wind parks, solar fields, and power lines often cause complex land use conflicts that existing planning routines struggle to address. These conflicts are expected to increase with the ambitious climate policies and related European and national infrastructure programs. Achieving mitigation targets could be at risk without innovative conflict resolution methods beyond formal procedures. The paper explores multilevel conflicts between local concerns and broader societal needs, challenges of complex planning processes, and public scepticism towards large infrastructure projects. From a German perspective, it analyses conflict structures and identifies strategies for resolution based on literature review, expert interviews, and the author’s participation in advisory panels. Both formal and informal approaches are discussed, highlighting the role of communicative planning in regional and local contexts.