The IEA Wind Task 62 aims to accelerate the deployment and expansion of wind energy in a socially equitable and sustainable manner by engaging community participation and proactive planning processes at an early stage. The goal is to create a win-win-win situation with communities, local governments and the wind industry. Among other topics, the task addresses challenges such as a lack of fairness in planning processes, an increase in protests against wind projects, new visual tools for planners and financial challenges. 

The international collaboration can be divided into five work packages: 

1. Socio-technical collaboration, 
2. Local approval and engagement, 
3. Company culture impact on planning and communities, 
4. Financial participation and business models, 
5. Tools for improving wind energy planning experiences.

The Austrian WindPlan project is part of the IAE's international Wind Task 62 collaboration. The aim is to integrate social science methods and findings into the planning and expansion of wind energy in order to:

• Take regional concerns into account and actively involve the local population and stakeholders from the outset.
• Better understand the social dynamics surrounding the expansion of wind energy.
• Support cooperation between developers, communities, and authorities.
• Develop practical tools for the responsible and sustainable expansion of wind energy.

An innovative, participatory planning approach is being tested that improves local, regional, and federal planning frameworks for wind energy projects. The underlying assumption is that projects based on fairness, transparency, and local participation are more likely to succeed.

A central component is the development and testing of LandscapeLabs! – an interactive participation method that combines state-of-the-art 3D and data visualization with gamification and simulation methods. The aim is to make complex planning processes tangible and to promote the participation of all relevant groups. Particular attention is paid to women, low-income households, and voters of (right-wing) populist parties, who are often underrepresented in energy policy decisions. Their perspectives and narratives are also integrated into LandscapeLabs! through interviews and the development of personas.

Expected results

• Development and testing of new participatory and inclusive planning approaches for wind energy expansion in Austria;
• Improvement of the planning basis for regional wind power zoning;
• Increased acceptance of wind energy in the project region;
• A best practice example that serves as a regional and international model;
• Direct support for national and international climate and energy targets.

Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland (Operating Agent), Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA (Operating Agent)

Project lead

Patrick Scherhaufer
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Institute for Forest, Environmental and Natural Resource Policy
Feistmantelstraße 4, 1180 Vienna
E-Mail: patrick.scherhaufer@boku.ac.at

Project collaborators

Thomas Schauppenlehner, Karl Bittner and Beatrix Schiesser
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning
Peter-Jordan-Straße 65
1180 Vienna
E-Mails: thomas.schauppenlehner@boku.ac.at; karl.bittner@boku.ac.at; beatrix.schiesser@boku.ac.at