Text Analysis of Social Dialogue on the Offshore Wind Energy Projects : Implications to Renewable Energy Acceptance and Collective Planning

Local opposition to a renewable energy project shows competition among various ideas and values in the energy transition process. Offshore wind farms (OWFs), one of the most promising renewable energy sources, are still not free from conflicts. This study aims to enrich our understanding of what residents want before the siting of an OWF and reconfigure the local conflict from collaborative planning. To this end, we used the methodology of citizen participation and analyzed the results. In one of Korea’s OWFs with siting conflicts, we hosted social dialogue programs in which local opinion leaders participated and discussed the issues related to the OWF project. Post-text analysis and factor analysis allowed us to identify the three most important factors for residents about the siting of an OWF: resident participation in the siting process, consideration of damage to fisheries, and sufficient information for judgment. Fishers emphasized the consideration of damage to fisheries, while environmental groups stressed sufficient judgment evidence, but all actors regarded citizen participation in the siting process as necessary. The findings of the social dialogue can be interpreted in specific local contexts to indicate that many aspects of the socio-technical system should be changed to enhance social acceptance of renewable energy. Furthermore, the practice of social dialogue can be used as an effective transition strategy to overcome the confrontation through the co-production of knowledge and an agenda with the public