History has a way of repeating itself. Today’s energy crisis – shaped by geopolitical instability and volatile fossil fuel markets – is once again raising fundamental questions about security, affordability and independence. But unlike previous crises, the response is evolving. It is no longer just about deploying more renewable energy. It is about how we do it – and whether societies are willing to support it.

Insights from our recent Sound of Green podcast episode highlight a crucial point: building renewable energy infrastructure is as much a social challenge as it is a technical one.

From “not in my backyard” to shared ownership

Across Europe, headlines increasingly reflect a common tension: support for green energy in principle, but resistance at the local level. Wind farms, solar parks and energy infrastructure projects often face opposition – not because people reject the transition, but because they feel excluded from it.

Research and real-world experience suggest that financial compensation alone does not resolve this tension. Instead, early involvement in decision-making processes is consistently identified as the most important factor in gaining local acceptance. As Mogens Hagelskjær, Program Director for Renewables at Andel explains:

“We made a survey here a couple of years ago in Andel asking potential neighbors; ‘what is the most important thingfor you when we are going to construct major schemes close to your society’. And actually early involvement is by far the most important thing, much more important for people than compensation”

And Chris Vrettos, Senior Policy advisor with REScoop EU agrees:

“So we know that we have to transition very, very fast. The question is how can we do this in a way that actually brings citizens on board. If they participate in the creation, so from consultation all the way to implementation, and then if they also see the concrete benefits, then, of course, they’re much more likely to accept the project.”

This points to a shift in mindset: from viewing citizens as passive stakeholders to recognising them as active participants.

Energy communities: a Danish perspective

One of the clearest examples of this approach can be found in Denmark’s emerging energy communities.

In Avedøre, just outside Copenhagen, local stakeholders – from residents and housing associations to schools and municipalities – have come together to co-invest in and share renewable energy. The model is simple in principle: those who consume energy also help produce it.

Established in 2020 following EU legislation, Energy Community Avedøre demonstrates how local ownership can transform perception. Instead of being imposed infrastructure, renewable energy becomes a shared asset – creating both economic and social value.

Participants benefit not only from more stable and often lower energy prices, but also from a deeper understanding of the energy system itself. This sense of ownership fosters engagement, innovation and long-term support.

Trust cannot be bought – only built

A recurring theme across stakeholders is that trust is the foundation of successful energy projects.

Scepticism towards new developments is often rooted in past experiences, where communities felt excluded or overlooked. Addressing this requires transparency and honest dialogue, especially about potential impacts such as noise, visual changes and land use. As Mogens Hagelskjær from Andel says:

“Do they have a shadow? Yes. Do they have noise? Yes. Be transparent about it”

And Stephan Krabsen, Vice President of Energy Communities Denmark and CEO of EBO Consult agrees:

“You need people to be interested and to be engaged in this and have the willingness to put time and effort into it. That’s actually the main thing. Afterwards you need to figure out which kind of consumption do we have available, and which kind of production do we have available.“

Developers in Denmark are increasingly recognising that early and open engagement is not just good practice—it is critical to project success. Involving local authorities, environmental experts and citizens from the outset can improve both design and outcomes, without compromising the business case.

Innovative approaches are also emerging. Campaigns such as inviting citizens to experience living near wind turbines firsthand have proven effective in bridging the gap between perception and reality.

Policy frameworks must enable participation

While local initiatives are gaining traction, scaling these solutions requires supportive policy frameworks.

At a EU level, new proposals are pushing in this direction. Benefit-sharing mechanisms and requirements for community engagement in large-scale renewable projects are becoming part of the regulatory landscape. At the same time, the ambition to expand energy communities to 90 GW by 2030 signals a significant shift towards citizen-driven energy systems .

However, challenges remain. Many member states have yet to fully implement enabling frameworks, and without binding requirements, progress risks being uneven. Stephan Krabsen says:

“We need political awareness on the potential of energy communities and it needs to be taken seriously. And that also means taking our legacy and our history with being awesome at cooperatives in Denmark and then using that, enhancing that and being at the forefront of actually developing the sector in Denmark and beyond” 

Denmark, with its long tradition of cooperative ownership, is well positioned to lead. Leveraging this legacy could accelerate the development of inclusive energy systems both nationally and across Europe.

A new narrative for the green transition

Stories about renewable energy projects often focus on conflict—on resistance, trade-offs and costs. But this framing overlooks a critical insight: communities are not inherently opposed to change. They are asking for involvement, recognition and a meaningful role.

“Actually, one of my favorite outcomes of energy communities is that people all of a sudden start talking about the collective grid. They start understanding the difference between tariffs and tax and the price of electricity”

Stephan Krabsen, Vice President of Energy Communities Denmark and CEO of EBO Consult

When citizens are invited into the process, the dynamic shifts. Projects move from being contested to being co-created. And support grows not through compensation, but through participation.

Trust as infrastructure

Trust is often described as a “soft” factor. In reality, it functions more like critical infrastructure. Without it, projects stall. With it, systems can scale. As Mogens Hagelskjær illustrates with a recent experience from an inauguration of one of Andel’s solar projects:

“I think we all agreed on early involvement as the key word here, so that you get the trust and you get the transparency and you have a smoother process.”

As Europe works to build an energy system that is secure, affordable and sustainable, the lesson is clear: technology alone is not enough. The transition must be built with people, not just for them.

In that sense, the story of local engagement is not only about community. It is about resilience – and about creating an energy system that societies actively support and help shape for generations to come.

To get the full story, listen to the podcast episode below:

About energy communities