Renewable Energy and Discourses of Objection - Towards Deliberative Policy Making

This project aims to analyse the range of interests, perceptions and tactics related to the development of renewable energy infrastructure in order to inform more effective decision-making that supports sustainable development.

The project challenges the tendency to apply over-simplified categories of supporters and objectors to wind farm developments, which overlooks the complexity of the attitudes held and the potential to explore alternative means of resolving the resulting disputes.  This will be developed through a case study of the ongoing controversy over a proposed wind farm on the Tunes Plateau off Northern Ireland, one of the most wind-rich parts of the UK.  The case study will be used to deepen understanding of the nature of such disputes by identifying the range of interests involved in the debate over the proposed wind farm and analysing their core beliefs, using a technique known as Q-Methodology.  This will be used to assess the main areas of conflict and consensus on the proposal and identify potential mediated solutions to such disputes.  It is anticipated that the project's findings will inform institutional reform and help identify new approaches to decision-making for locational disputes involving renewable energy infrastructure.

The project is now closed and the final report has been issued.  However if you are interested in obtaining further Information, please have a look at the REDO webpages or contact:

Dr Geraint Ellis
Senior Lecturer
Institute of Spatial and Environmental Planning (ISEP)
School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 4370
E-Mail: g.ellis@qub.ac.uk

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