Distributive Justice, Community Benefits and Renewable Energy: The Case of Offshore Wind Projects

Abstract

Renewable energy projects bring about benefits to society as a whole, yet they affect citizens living in their vicinity. Negative externalities associated with renewable energy projects, such as noise or visual impact, cause local resistance to them. Community benefits bring about an element of distributive justice to these affected citizens and their communities as a form of compensation vis-à-vis these negative effects.

This chapter analyzes the role, nature and modalities of community benefits regarding offshore wind projects by using the North Sea as a case study. It shows how different countries adopt diverse approaches in a varied regulatory landscape, and how new technological renewable energy solutions influence the types of benefits granted as well as their scope and extent. It concludes by demonstrating that even if offshore wind farms are located further offshore community benefits are still awarded by project developers and states as elements of energy justice and, recognition of citizens’ rights and expectations.

Keywords: Renewable energy, energy justice, community benefits, comparative law

JEL Classification: K00, K23, K32, Q4, Q48, Q58, R5