Research - 28.03.2025 - 11:00
Switzerland lags behind when it comes to wind energy – just 47 large wind turbines are in operation in the country. In Austria, for example, there are 1,513. The research project “PARTI-DYNACCEPT”, funded by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and made up of the terms PARTIcipation, DYNAmics and ACCEPTance, is investigating whether financial participation of the population can increase acceptance of wind projects.
The project is investigating how various participation models – such as local wind shares or direct contributions to local municipalities or discounted electricity tariffs for the community – influence public support for wind energy projects in eastern Switzerland. Initial approaches show that those who benefit are more likely to say yes to a wind turbine in their close vicinity. And a tailwind for the energy transition is needed – especially when it comes to the electricity supply in the winter months, when solar energy is scarce.
Wind projects in Switzerland often take many years to implement, and public support varies greatly. Recent votes at the local and cantonal level show that more projects are being approved than rejected.
Distributive justice – the fair distribution of costs and benefits – is one of the decisive factors for the social acceptance of renewable energies. If citizens participate financially in wind projects, a larger share of the value added remains in the local area.
The PARTI-DYNACCEPT project is investigating how different participation models influence acceptance over time – both economically (financial benefits) and emotionally (community identity). The results are important for both policymakers and project developers. By identifying best practices, the researchers hope to contribute to the successful implementation of widely accepted wind energy projects, thereby increasing the use of domestic energy sources and reducing Switzerland’s import dependence.
The project combines various research methods, including:
The research project is led by Prof. Dr. Rolf Wüstenhagen and Martina Rothenberger from the Institute for Economy and the Environment (IWÖ-HSG) at the University of St.Gallen and will run for approximately 3 years. It is financed by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and supported by the Canton of St.Gallen. An international advisory board from the fields of science and practice supports the project with its expertise.
Image: Wind power plant Haldenstein (Copyright: IWÖ-HSG)
