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Understanding developer perspectives and experiences of wind energy development in Ontario

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  • Emmanuel Songsore
  • Michael Buzzelli
  • Jamie Baxter

Abstract

In the Province of Ontario, Canada, aggressive policy promoting wind energy development has led to both rapid development and intense stakeholder conflicts. Focusing on developers, key stakeholders largely hidden in the extant research literature and the perspectives of other stakeholders drawn from secondary sources, this paper presents original primary research to help fill this knowledge gap. Based on semi-structured interviews with established and active developers in the Province, we find that feed-in tariffs have arguably been the strongest driver of developers successfully getting turbines up and running. Yet, legislative and policy attempts to reduce delays and smooth the development process have often complicated the development process. Developers recognise and often agree with community viewpoints that the process as framed by Ontario’s policy environment forestalls cooperative development, particularly with respect to community engagement. While developers are supportive of better community engagement, they feel constrained by policy-related barriers. Findings from the study show that communities will only be engaged in projects to the full extent possible if developers take the initiative to transcend regulatory requirements for public engagement. The study concludes with useful lessons for jurisdictions transitioning to low or zero emissions energy technologies. Specifically, it supports recommendations for alternative policy approaches including consideration of policy specificity around economic benefit destitution, and community engagement and ownership of projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Emmanuel Songsore & Michael Buzzelli & Jamie Baxter, 2018. "Understanding developer perspectives and experiences of wind energy development in Ontario," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 36(4), pages 649-668, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:36:y:2018:i:4:p:649-668
    DOI: 10.1177/2399654417721931
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    References listed on IDEAS

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