New analysis: Local anchoring determines the success of the energy transition
New local electricity production from wind and solar power is often highlighted as an important part of meeting future electricity demand and strengthening energy security. Despite this, municipalities rejected 9 out of 10 onshore wind power projects last year. In an analysis carried out within Glava Energy Center’s project LOKEN, researcher Mikael Johnson highlights issues of dialogue, legitimacy and local anchoring as crucial for how new energy projects are received locally.
– The energy transition is not primarily a technical project, but a societal one. We often try to solve these issues as if they were technical or administrative, but fundamentally they are about people, trust, fairness and local values, says Mikael Johnson, Senior Lecturer in Business Administration at Karlstad University, who carried out the analysis within the LOKEN project – Local Energy Governance Värmland.
Dialogue comes too late
In a policy brief – a concise knowledge brief aimed at decision-makers – he describes how today’s consultation processes often come too late in the planning process, with limited opportunities for people to influence decisions.
– Many people feel that the dialogue begins only after the most important decisions have already been made. In that case, consultations risk being perceived as a box-ticking exercise rather than genuine collaborative work around a complex issue.
Complex challenges require compromises
As electrification increases and efforts to reduce climate emissions continue, electricity demand is expected to rise sharply. But when new local electricity production is planned, questions arise about land use, local values and people’s opportunities to influence development in their local area. During 2025, 93 percent of onshore wind power projects – 43 out of 46 projects – were rejected by municipalities, according to statistics from the industry organisation Green Power Sweden (in Swedish).
According to Mikael Johnson, the energy transition is often treated as a complicated problem – when in reality it is complex.
– A complicated problem can be building a bridge. The energy transition does not work like that. There are many different interests, values and perspectives that need to be balanced.
The analysis describes the energy transition as an issue where climate goals, local living environments and the electricity needs of industry must be balanced over time.
– Complex problems require compromises. No one will get exactly what they want, but people need to feel that the process is fair and that their perspectives actually influence decisions, says Mikael Johnson.
Trust through inclusion
If dialogue is insufficient and processes are perceived as unfair, there is a risk of mistrust. A survey from the industry organisation WindEurope also shows that Sweden stands out in Europe when it comes to the spread of misleading information about wind power.
– When people experience uncertainty or lack of influence, mistrust and polarisation easily arise. That is why processes need to be transparent, long-term and inclusive from the very beginning.
From consultation to co-creation
According to Mikael Johnson, energy communities can be one way of strengthening local anchoring. In an energy community, members can jointly produce, consume, store or sell energy. However, the core issue is less about organisational form and more about how people are involved.
– We need to move from consultation to co-creation. That does not mean everyone will always agree, but that people feel their perspectives are taken seriously and influence the way forward, he concludes.
Read and download the policy brief
From Late Consultation to Early Dialogue – Towards Energy Communities is a policy brief by Mikael Johnson, Senior Lecturer in Business Administration at the Service Research Center, Karlstad University.
The analysis was carried out within the project LOKEN – Local Energy Governance Värmland.
A policy brief is a concise knowledge brief aimed at decision-makers and societal stakeholders.
What is the consultation process?
Consultation is a legally regulated process where affected stakeholders are given the opportunity to discuss projects that may impact people or the environment, such as new energy production or infrastructure. The purpose is to:
- gather viewpoints
- create better decision-making foundations
- reduce the risk of conflicts and appeals
LOKEN promotes the energy transition in Värmland
The three-year project LOKEN – Local Energy Governance Värmland aims to support the energy transition in municipalities across Värmland, test smart energy solutions and create a new regional collaboration arena for academia, businesses and public actors. Glava Energy Center runs the project together with Karlstad University as a project partner. The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Region Värmland.