A study on community benefits in offshore wind energy projects

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17932
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 64060:Environmental policy and social systems-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University (2022-2023); Nagoya Keizai University (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Motosu Memi 名古屋大学, 環境学研究科, 特任准教授 (40714457)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 洋上風力 / 再生可能エネルギー / 社会的受容 / 配分的正義 / 社会的公正 / 地域便益

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to address the issue of imbalance between risks and benefits in renewable energy projects by returning benefits to the local community, and to devise an approach to renewable energy projects that contributes to the region. This study focuses on offshore wind energy projects, and the results showed that methods that create synergy with the region, such as cooperation with local industries and biodiversity approaches, could help correct the imbalance between risks and benefits, as well as facilitate consensus building among stakeholders. On the other hand, it was found that in some offshore wind energy projects, there is a need for separation between offshore wind farm and fishing area. Additionally, it was found that the community contribution measures already implemented are not sufficiently recognized by local residents who are not directly involved in the offshore wind energy projects, and the future challenges have been considered.

Free Research Field

環境社会学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的意義は、再生可能エネルギー事業における地域貢献について、内発的発展論を超えた議論の必要性を指摘し、地域外のアクターの介入を含む地域の自立を促す地域便益について議論を広げることの重要性を強調した点、また、地域の受苦受益の不均衡問題の是正として実施される地域貢献策について、地域住民の認識について分析した点である。社会的意義は、洋上風力発電事業における地域便益の種類を網羅的に整理した上で、それらについて地域特性を踏まえた課題を指摘した点、社会的受容をテーマとした国際セミナーを開催し、国内外の風力発電の現状と課題解決の取り組みについて情報共有する場を設けた点である。