Authorisation procedures for renewable energy plants are very complex and extensive. How to efficiently plan wind energy and hydrogen plants, large storage facilities or solar fields is the topic of the new further education course "Approval practice for the energy transition in the Northwest metropolitan region", which was launched for the first time by the C3L - Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Oldenburg. In the first round, a total of 17 participants will acquire the necessary expertise to be able to implement projects quickly.
"The practical advanced scientific training aims to speed up the often very complex approval procedures by qualifying specialists," says Prof. Dr Bernd Siebenhüner, the programme's academic director. The intensive, professional exchange between the participants, who come from both the licensing authorities and the energy industry, is particularly beneficial.
The lecturers on the C3L programme teach legal principles, such as the Federal Immission Control Act and environmental impact assessments. They also look at how citizens can be involved in approval procedures at an early stage in order to increase the acceptance of projects. Other topics include conflict management and communication between the stakeholders involved.
"We are delighted that the new further education programme has met with such a great response and is thus providing sustainable support for the transformation process in the region," says Nicola Illing, Managing Director of the Northwest Metropolitan Region. The Northwest Metropolitan Region is providing significant support for the further education programme. The current course is fully booked and the next instalment is expected to start next year.
The further education programme is offered in a blended learning format, a combination of online learning and face-to-face workshops. The flexibility in terms of time and location makes it particularly interesting for working people. The project is supported by the Metropolitan Region Northwest, the Economic Development Agency of the City of Oldenburg, WAB e.V., the Oldenburg Energy Cluster OLEC, the Bremerhaven Society for Investment Promotion and Urban Development BIS, the Bremen Senator for Economics and Ports, wpd GmbH and Alterric Deutschland GmbH.