EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The transition to renewable energy is central to Europe’s climate and energy security ambitions, as well as a key enabler for European competitiveness and prosperity. However, while wind and solar power have reached record high levels, achieving our 2030 targets requires an unprecedented acceleration in deployment. Social acceptance remains a critical factor in determining the success or failure of renewable energy project development. Opposition – driven by concerns over land use, perceived lack of local benefits, environmental impacts and misinformation – can lead to costly delays, legal challenges and even project cancellations.
This paper therefore examines the key drivers of public resistance and outlines a practical framework for enhancing the social acceptance of renewables, reflecting the electricity sector’s commitment to act as a socially responsible steward of the energy transition. Drawing on insights from developers and academia, it presents a comprehensive toolbox for best practices, emphasising proactive community engagement and benefit-sharing mechanisms that create tangible value for local stakeholders. Strategies such as community benefit funds, electricity bill discounts, municipal contributions, co-ownership models, training programmes and nature protection initiatives can all help to transform local opposition into active support.
Importantly, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the specific approach chosen should always depend on the needs of the community in question. Yet, five key success factors emerge as essential for fostering positive and enduring relationships with host communities: trust-building through local engagement, transparency, independence, adaptability and creating a long-term commitment.Policymakers, too, have a crucial role in improving social acceptance. Beyond streamlining permitting procedures, they must highlight the economic and social benefits of renewables. In addition, they should create flexible legal frameworks for project development and public participation that helps guide developers while allowing for community-specific solutions. Lastly, authorities can further boost support for renewables by redirecting higher-level tax revenues from renewable energy projects to municipal budgets, visibly linking clean energy to local prosperity