BEYOND PUBLIC OPPOSITION
Three Building Blocks for Public Acceptance:
Transparency, Participation, Benefit Sharing

10 November 2011 | European Parliament Brussels

Transformation of the energy system is changing the geographic and time horizons for planning and implementing new infrastructure. To fully integrate renewable electricity from centralised and decentralised sources, the grid’s architecture needs to be adapted and expanded to allow transmission over long distances, across national borders, from generation to consumption and storage sites.

Thousands of kilometres of new lines need to be built today and in coming decades. However, public opposition is growing. To secure public support, new alliances across society are needed. It is necessary to bring more transparency to the grid business, to further develop participatory consultations and a toolbox for benefit sharing and compensation. Timely expansion of the grid will only be possible by including concerned citizens in the decision making process, and by addressing their legitimate concerns. How will the new legislation on permitting address these issues and stimulate understanding and support for grid expansion? What action beyond the new legislation is needed?

Hosted by Renewables-Grid-Inititative (RGI) and Smart Energy for Europe Platform (SEFEP) the European Grid Conference “Beyond Public Opposition” rraises public acceptance-related issues in discussions with decision makers, corporate stakeholders and representatives of the NGO community.

With contributions by:
Christoph Bals, Political Director Germanwatch
Antonella Battaglini, Executive Director RGI 
Rebecca Harms, MEP
Harry Huyton, Head of Climate Change Policy and Campaigns RSPB
Carlo Jaeger, Head of Research Domain Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Günther H. Oettinger, Commissioner for Energy
Sirpa Pietikäinen, MEP
Boris Schucht, CEO 50Hertz Transmission
Catharina Sikow-Magny, Internal Market I: Networks & Regional Initiatives, DG Energy, European Commission
Stephan Singer, Global Energy Policy Director WWF
Konstantin Staschus, Secretary General ENTSO-E
Kristina Steenbock, Executive Director SEFEP
Ben Voorhorst, COO, TenneT
Angelika Werthmann, MEP

Further information
Conference programme - presentations - impressions
Keynote by Günther H. Oettinger
EC's Regulation Proposal of 19.10.2011 and further information 
European Grid Declaration
Press Release