Land use conflicts in the energy transition: dutch dilemmas

The transition from fossil to renewable energy requires changes in land use. The development of renewable energy sources introduces extra and sometimes new externalities, such as shadows, noise, and changes to the landscape. Several governments are experiencing difficulties when developing renewable energy sources, especially when existing land owners (and others) start anticipating externalities. Therefore, land use conflicts have become a major issue for governments in meeting renewable energy policy objectives. This paper explores how three dilemmas—tiers of government, mode of governance, and norm-setting—are approached by public authorities, using policy document reviews, interviews, literature research, and examples of the Dutch energy transition