E-participation in energy transitions: What does it mean? Chances and challenges within Germany's Energiewende

Abstract

Does e-participation generate more democratic legitimacy in the context of the German Energiewende through more input and procedural justice, better outputs and environmental outcomes that are accepted by the public? In recent years, many forms of e-participation have emerged, and space for experiments with visual and interactive technologies has been created. However, research evaluating e-participation technologies in energy transitions is lacking. This study uses interviews with 33 stakeholders in a planned wind farm project, combined with online survey results, to derive empirical insights into attitudes towards and preferences for e-participation. On the one hand, we observe openness towards new options for creative input and visualization-based online tools and virtual realities. On the other hand, stakeholders fear vulnerabilities and are skeptical about the efficacy of online discourse. Institutional stakeholders primarily see risks in civic participation, while citizens themselves see the benefits. Unexploited potential for creative input, deliberation, and collaborative planning could be leveraged to increase democratic legitimacy. In this context, better outputs are not synonymous with accepting outcomes, but can include changes to or even rejection of plans based on public preferences and concerns. This potential remains largely untapped, however, and requires a willingness to participate, thus calling for mobilization strategies.