Communicating about the project

The implementation of a wind power project is very much affected by the local residents’ attitudes towards the project. Positive attitudes can be promoted with open communications and engaging with nearby residents. Even before the project is published, it is worth launching discussions with the local environmental and planning authorities and with the land owners and direct neighbours in the project area.

After the land tenancy or purchase agreements for the project area have been signed, public communications on the project can be started. It is advisable to hold open consultation events on the project as early in the process as possible so that citizens will have an opportunity to have they say on the development of the project. Different project developers have different ways of being present in the project locality. For example, in some localities there is a local office that is open for a couple of days a week and where people can visit and discuss the project.

Open communication and discussion events are a key part of the EIA and planning processes, and it is also advisable to hold public events in addition to them. It is also worth posting updates about the progress of the project in the local press, which is often happy to receive information about the project to inform the local community.