English Summary

Change in the energy system goes hand in hand with the development of renewable energies and becomes visible through the diffusion of these technologies. Profound technological, economic and also social restructuring is associated with this "energy transition". Different actors are involved, they have to negotiate compromises, create standards and routines and acquire new knowledge. Often, these processes are analyzed on a general, national level. However, this perspective neglects processes at the local and regional level, which can be understood as the basis of this very heterogenous change process. This is where REENEA came in and – starting from the wind energy sector as an exemplary part of the energy transition – examined the social dynamics and regional differences of the energy transition. In recent years, the wind industry has increasingly evolved into a global sector within national, European and international contexts. At the same time, however, the industry remains regionally anchored: economic clusters form in which manufacturers, service providers, suppliers and research institutions cooperate; solutions for energy storage or sector coupling are being tested at locations with a lot of wind energy; jobs are being created and new industries or wind farms are becoming important sources of tax revenue for municipalities. But also social conflicts about the acceptance or the locations of wind turbines occur on the local level. The REENEA team's findings underscore the importance of social interactions that significantly shape the course and success of regional energy transitions. In particular, (absent) actor activities that consolidate and institutionalize the transition process explain differences in the development of (regional) transitions. Effective informal and formal collaborations of committed actors enabled some regions to develop into successful and broad-based wind energy sites. However, these successes are not automatically permanent at the regional level but can potentially be eroded at any stage of development by changes in external framework conditions. Regional actors have to deal with such changes, which can both accelerate and slow down the transition process. The importance of regional networks and institutions differs depending on the value creation position: While plant manufacturers, for example, are increasingly dependent on international markets, it is important for project developers to know local stakeholders in order to secure local land and obtain permits. If regional decision-makers perceive project development agencies and landowners as regionally anchored, this contributes significantly to the acceptance and legitimacy of wind energy development.