Fighting fruitfully? Participation and conflict in the context of electricity grid extension in Germany

Abstract The transition towards renewable energy production is widely supported by the German population. However, resistance against its tangible manifestations grows. The electricity grid expansion is a highly contested field: seen as crucial to the Energiewende's success, associated projects encounter protest and fierce opposition all over the country, irrespective of public participation allowed for at several stages of planning. Informed by theoretical elaborations on conflict and dialogue-oriented participation, we analyze a selection of 19 studies on participation and protest in the context of grid expansion. Our contribution confirms the significance of communication and public participation for dealing with conflicts and protest.