Notes #9/2024

Implementation of the energy transition: The role of municipalities

Informal translation of a blog post on bmc.nl about an issue I am working on as managing consultant for BMC.

Implementation of the energy transition: The role of municipalities

The energy transition is urgent and necessary. The task for municipalities is substantial. As a result, activity, in whatever form, sometimes seems to be the goal for municipalities. 'We're doing something', rather than: 'We're doing the right thing and that which has the most impact.' To achieve the goals of the energy transition, it is precisely for municipalities to critically examine their own role beforehand, says BMC's Ruben Zondervan.

Choice of role essential for municipalities

Whether you are working on solar projects, wind energy, or renewable energy in housing: when it comes to the energy transition, it's important for a municipality to think carefully about its own role. But why, exactly? In practice, the implementation of energy projects often works as follows: a resident or organization presents a good initiative to the municipality. The municipality picks it up and sometimes unintentionally falls into a role that is fun and fitting for this individual project, but not scalable. And scalability is precisely what is needed for the energy transition. As a result, municipalities cannot optimally deploy their people and resources for their policy objectives.

Not copying the neighbors

Role choice is not a magic wand. The role that magically solves all possible problems does not exist. But a role can provide guidance. Which role fits best depends on the context. Therefore, as a municipality, you cannot simply copy what the neighbors are doing. For the municipality of Lansingerland, BMC investigated which role is most suitable for solar energy projects with at least 50% local ownership. This municipality has a lot of greenhouse farming with large water basins. These unique locations for solar energy generation are hardly available in other municipalities. The demographic composition of the municipality also plays a role. In a municipality with many new houses and highly educated residents with a high income, the municipality plays a very different role than in a municipality with older houses and residents with a low income.

Clear expectations through explicit roles

Moreover, a role that has been explicitly chosen is easier to change in changing circumstances. Consider, for example, solar panels on private roofs. Ten years ago, government support was necessary for this, but now it is superfluous in most municipalities. The market has taken over. At the same time, we see that in some municipalities there is sometimes an implicit, generally accepted idea that the government should have a role in solar panels on roofs. Such an implicit role is very difficult to change. If the role is defined in administrative decisions, it is much simpler. Moreover, an explicit choice and communication about the role contributes to managing expectations within the bureaucracy, the administration, politics, residents, and partners. It provides clarity on what the municipality does and does not undertake in the context of the energy transition.

Integrated consideration of policy goals

The energy transition is just one of the challenges that municipalities face. It is useful to include other policy goals in the consideration of that role. As a municipality, you might decide, for example, that sustainability goals should not come at the expense of equal opportunities. After determining the goals to be linked, an integrated consideration can be made. And as a result, municipalities can optimally deploy capacity and resources to achieve the sustainability goal, without adversely affecting other policy goals.

Effective use of people and resources

In short, based on the policy goals and local context, each municipality can weigh the pros and cons of different roles. This allows them to make a well-considered choice for a specific role. Early role choice prevents ad hoc reactions and undesirable roles and ensures that as a municipality, you can deal effectively with people and resources.

---