Renewable Energy Projects Face Increasing Public Opposition

PORTLAND, Ore. - June 25, 2024 - PRLog -- According to a recent survey from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (emp.lbl.gov/publications/survey-utility-scale-wind-and-solar), community opposition is now among the top reasons for delays and cancellations of wind and solar projects. Survey respondents noted that in their experience a third of the projects were canceled because of community opposition, and half were delayed six months or more.

"Community opposition has become a significant obstacle to renewable energy development," shares Learnewable Founder and President, Jeremy Solomon, "even though surveys show that substantial majorities support renewable energy development. People want to understand what impact a renewable energy project is going to have on their daily lives. Social acceptance is essential for projects to be completed."

And the stakes are high. The Berkeley Lab survey revealed sunk costs due to cancellations averaged $2 million per solar project and $7.5 million per wind project. When reviewing why projects were canceled, survey respondents recognized they should have involved communities earlier.

"Developers need a clear picture of community sentiment so they can address community concerns and communicate in a more effective way," Solomon continues. "Having the ability to assess public sentiment in a data-oriented, quantitative manner is now a necessity for successful renewable energy development."

Solomon's passion for renewable energy has led him to develop Learnewable (www.learnewable.com), an AI-powered platform that helps developers keep their fingers on the pulse of a community. Learnewable provides data and insights developers use to mobilize supporters and understand opponents, while reducing risk and lowering costs.

If the renewable energy transition is to succeed, renewable developers will need to increase their win rate and reduce the financial risk of new solar, wind, and transmission projects. Solomon concludes, "Voices in every community need to be heard, and each conversation can be transformed into actionable insight to help developers succeed."