Fostering social and spatial justice in regional energy strategies of Overijssel (NWO)

Fostering a fair and inclusive energy transition in the Netherlands is a major challenge, particularly in areas that already carry spatial and social burdens related to renewable energy production. The implementation of Regional Energy Strategies in Overijssel leads to a substantial use of space for energy production, including publicly valued landscapes. Investments in infrastructure for renewable energy affect social justice: benefits of such investments are not equally distributed among socio-economic groups or rural and urban residents. The project’s objective is to develop longer term, socially and spatially just governance arrangements for renewable energy systems at a regional scale, emphasizing the role of citizen initiatives and participation. We base our contributions on (1) investigations of social and spatial justice implications of renewable energy policies and projects developed in the Netherlands, and (2) joint knowledge generation on the dynamics and fairness of citizen-participation in planning as well as in daily operations of new energy systems. The study targets users and enablers of renewable energy generation (wind, solar) initiatives, heat distribution networks and energy storage.

Project partners

• Tamara Metze (PAP, WUR)
• Bas van Vliet and Sanneke Kloppenburg (ENP, WUR)
• Bauke de Vries (Saxion Hogeschool)
• Asia Golunska en Ferenc van Damme (Provincie Overijssel)