The ReWA project investigated how local participation in renewable‑energy projects influences regional value creation, employment, and public acceptance. The research was carried out in a series of four work packages. First, a criteria grid was developed to select representative municipalities and to describe the different participation models that exist in Germany. Using this grid, the project identified a set of case studies, including the municipality of Hünfelden, and documented the specific structures of local ownership, community shares, and stakeholder engagement.
In the second work package the WeBEE model, a tool for calculating regional economic effects of renewable‑energy projects, was updated to incorporate the various participation models identified earlier. Input data were collected for each municipality, covering investment costs, local procurement, and employment figures. The extended model was then applied to the case studies, yielding estimates of regional value creation and job creation. For example, in Hünfelden the model showed that a community‑owned wind farm could generate a local value‑added increase of several million euros per year and create up to 30 new jobs, illustrating the tangible economic benefits of participatory ownership.
The third work package focused on acceptance. Qualitative interviews with local actors and standardized surveys of residents were conducted to assess attitudes toward renewable‑energy projects. The analysis revealed a clear positive relationship between perceived local value creation and acceptance: municipalities where residents felt they benefited economically and socially from a project reported higher support levels. The study also identified key factors that strengthen acceptance, such as transparent communication, fair profit distribution, and opportunities for local decision‑making.
In the final synthesis phase the project combined the findings from the economic and acceptance analyses to produce a set of actionable recommendations. These recommendations emphasize the importance of aligning participation models with local economic goals and communication strategies to maximize both value creation and public support. The report also outlines policy measures that can facilitate the scaling of community‑owned renewable‑energy projects across Germany.
The project’s results were disseminated through a range of channels. The central publication, titled “Die Energiewende in Kommunen – Zusammenhänge von regionaler Wertschöpfung, lokaler Akzeptanz und finanzieller Beteiligung,” was released on the AEE website on 30 March 2023 and promoted via a press release. An online event hosted on Zoom attracted more than 270 participants, and the recording is available on the AEE YouTube channel. The findings were summarized in a feature article in the NATURSTROM AG magazine “energiezukunft” on 28 April 2023, and a radio report by the Mitteldeutsche Rundfunk (MDR) on 17 May 2023 highlighted the link between increased citizen participation and higher acceptance of wind parks. The French‑German Office for the Energy Transition (DFBEW) referenced ReWA in a 2022 background paper and plans to present a French translation of the ReNews special in a joint webinar on 17 October 2023.
The project was coordinated by the German Agency for Renewable Energy (AEE) and involved partners such as EnBW, IOEW, and NATURSTROM AG. Funding was provided by the German federal government through the AEE. The research period spanned from early 2022 to late 2023, during which the team collected data, performed analyses, and engaged with stakeholders across multiple municipalities. The comprehensive results demonstrate that structured local participation can simultaneously boost regional economies and strengthen public acceptance of renewable‑energy initiatives.