Just participation in wind energy: The role of social innovations

Participatory practices and social innovations are recognised as important for sustainable renewable energy projects. However, information on the significance of diverse participatory practices and social innovations for advancing inclusive and sustainable wind energy developments remains limited. To address this gap, this study aims to understand how diverse participatory practices in wind energy developments across the globe influence energy justice differently. It does so, by analysing how a fairer participation of communities is interconnected to the models of participation while investigating how participatory practices interrelate with social innovations. Drawing on the ‘ecologies of participation’ approach, the work compiles a dataset of 312 case studies of collective participatory practices in wind energy projects, of which 209 are classified as social innovation projects. Findings indicate that not all participatory practices and social innovations are equal in ensuring just processes in wind energy governance. This requires careful consideration of different aspects of participation (e.g., opportunities provided, continuity of the process) and adherence to principles of justice in wind energy governance (e.g., inclusivity, capacity to influence, transparency). Conclusions highlight that fairer participation practices are interconnected to both the models of participation and to the wider spaces of participation in which they are embedded. • Original dataset of 312 cases of participation in wind energy. • Participatory practices are multifaceted and relational. • Opportunities for participating increase with more inclusive participation models. • Most participatory practices lack in-depth engagement of local communities. • Social innovation initiatives contribute to inclusive participation in wind energy.