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Perspectives from the Next Generation" in New Engagement Strategies for Energy Justice

Plans are in place across Europe to update and develop energy infrastructure to decarbonise the system in the years ahead. Alongside this, calls have emerged for more participatory approaches to new energy infrastructural projects involving a wider range of stakeholders, including those at the local community level. This paper investigates the deployment of a public engagement strategy by the Irish Transmission System Operator (TSO) concerning electricity grid infrastructure developments, whereby a community forum is established.

Authors
Evan Boyle, Dr. Alexandra Revez, Grainne Duffy, Ailbhe Farrell, Aoife Deane, Prof Brian Ó Gallachóir, Julia Wittmayer.
Year
2025
Journal Name
Energy Research and Social Science
Category
Journal Article
Keywords
Energy, Decarbonise, Infastructure, Public Engagement, Ireland, TSO, Policy
Full Citation

Boyle, E., Revez, A., Duffy, G., Farrell, A., Deane, A., Ó Gallachóir, B. and Wittmayer, J.M. (2024). Public participation in the development of electricity grid infrastructure: Early engagements and community forums. Energy Research & Social Science, [online] 120, p.103878. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2024.103878.

Link to Publication
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629624004699

Abstract

The central research question within this paper is as follows: How and to what extent do participatory practices open spaces of influence for community actors to partake in decision-making regarding electricity grid developments? We investigate a grid development project to highlight the central importance of early engagement with citizens and communities in the delivery of infrastructure projects and provide an outline of the innovative creation of the community forum as a conduit to wider community participation. Within this we highlight points of influence in decision making processes, and participant perspectives on their influence and participation.

Energy Policy and Modelling Group

Environmental Research Institute, Ellen Hutchins Building, University College Cork, Lee Road, Cork, Ireland T23 XE10 ,

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