By 2024, the Netherlands had more than 700 energy cooperatives, according to the Local Energy Monitor by climate foundation HIER. With countless volunteers, they play a crucial role in the energy transition. Especially when it comes to creating social support. Yet this also presents the necessary challenges. Tijmen Keesmaat, sustainable energy development consultant at Green Trust, is happy to share his knowledge and experience.
Actively involving the environment in a project is also known as participation. It is an important pillar in the Environment Act. Logical, because participation is indispensable for creating support and acceptance. By including local knowledge and insights in the process, you can prevent opposition and delay. In addition, with participation you strengthen the sense of community. “Project development is largely about creating momentum,” says Tijmen Keesmaat. "Of course you have to know what you are doing technically, but it is just as important to connect local parties to you. That way you build a project with support in the area. Cooperatives have an active role in this. They know what is going on in the neighborhood."
A few interest groups, a few interested residents: in participation projects you often see the same faces, while you want to keep a broad focus. That requires socially inclusive development. “The starting point of socially inclusive development is the fair sharing of the joys and burdens of a sustainable energy project,” summarizes Tijmen. "Here we look at the whole community. So not just the ‘usual suspects,’ but everyone - from young to old. This means using a variety of resources. Lessons at school for children, information evenings and walk-in meetings for a wide audience. A good example is a big party we organized at Windpark Krammer, the largest citizens' initiative in the Netherlands. Many young people from the neighborhood also enjoyed a fun evening there."
Directly surrounding residents of a renewable energy project have a different role. Tijmen: "We maintain a dialogue with them through, for example, a sounding board group or discussions at the kitchen table. We preferably define together what they can participate in." Socially inclusive development does not always mean 100% support. "Sometimes the interests are too different. Then the highest achievable result is that opponents eventually say: if it has to be done, then let's do it with you. Because you listen and actually do something with our input."
Financial participation is an inseparable part of socially inclusive development. "If you want to share the burdens and lusts, that also means sharing the proceeds of your renewable energy project with the environment. There are various forms of financial participation, from shared ownership to bonds. Which form you choose depends in part on the financial risks you want to run. In general, the earlier you get in, the greater the value step you can take. But financial participation is also possible at a later stage. Both for cooperatives themselves and for residents."
Once your project is complete, the challenge remains to keep the environment involved. This can be done, for example, through nature-inclusive development of your wind or solar farm, so that it is an attractive area. "At solar farm De Blauwe Poort, we created a wetland with many species of plants and animals. If volunteers then take care of nature maintenance, it creates a bond with the park. You can also think of a food forest or vegetable garden. Or an environment fund, with which you can support sports clubs, associations and other local initiatives.
Always helpful, in every phase of a project: telling and showing what you are doing. Tijmen: "Organize open days, also during construction. People are often very interested in that. Show your face as a cooperative. That way you create a sense of togetherness."
Green Trust Consultancy offers energy cooperatives support in the areas of communication, participation and environmental management. From communication advice, stakeholder management and public campaigns to setting up and supervising participation processes and member recruitment. Want to know more? Please contact Tijmen or Christine.