Islamabad: Bonn/Husum, 18 September 2025 (WWEA) – The World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) unveiled draft community engagement guidelines at Husum Wind 2025, emphasizing community involvement as vital for rapid wind energy expansion. WWEA Secretary General Stefan Gsänger introduced the document’s framework, with full publication expected at the 22nd World Wind Energy Conference (WWEC2025) in Shantou, China, this December.
Jörg Tiemann subsequently showcased the “Steinfurt Engagement Guidelines,” establishing specific community engagement protocols, including certification, for the German district of Steinfurt.
Following its 2024 strategy update, WWEA formed the Community Engagement Council to develop these guidelines. Core principles include transparency, early and consistent community participation, inclusivity with focus on gender equality and vulnerable group protection, respect for local contexts (cultural, social, and political), fair distribution of advantages, grievance mechanisms, and monitoring with accountability.
The guidelines advocate for continuous engagement from project inception to potential decommissioning, encompassing permitting, construction, and operation phases. A central focus is benefit-sharing, suggesting job creation, co-ownership models, full ownership, and discounted electricity rates. Additional sections address offshore wind farm needs and grievance resolution procedures.
Gsänger stated that wind power has achieved significant advancement, becoming a cost-effective and readily available sustainable energy alternative. He stressed that community benefit from local wind farms is essential for global wind energy deployment. The WWEA guidelines aim to establish benchmarks ensuring worldwide wind projects advantage local populations and promote broader renewable energy adoption.