Brink, Wessel (2025) Empowering the Transition: The Role of Local Energy-Initiatives in Advancing Renewable Energy in RES-regio Groningen. Bachelor thesis, Global Responsibility & Leadership (GRL).
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Abstract
This thesis explores the role of Local Energy Initiatives (LEIs) in contributing to a just and inclusive energy transition within RES-regio Groningen. It investigates how LEIs perform concerning recognitional, procedural, and distributive justice, and how they interact with the dominant socio-technical energy regime. Data were collected through five semi-structured interviews with representatives of LEIs in Groningen. The findings were analysed using two analytical frameworks: the Energy Justice Framework (EJF), which assesses justice dimensions within LEIs, and the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), which situates LEIs within the broader energy system and examines their potential to scale and influence regime-level dynamics. An inductive thematic analysis was structured through a SWOT framework. Findings suggest that LEIs enhance procedural and distributive justice through democratic governance and local benefit-sharing, and contribute to recognitional justice through inclusivity efforts. However, challenges like grid congestion, capacity limitations, and the risk of excluding vulnerable populations remain. LEIs show active niche development through strategic networking, learning, and expectation management, but face structural barriers to scaling and embedding within the regime. The study concludes that LEIs can accelerate a more equitable energy transition, depending on supportive institutions and their ability to professionalise without losing their participatory character.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Name supervisor: | Cordero Carrasco, R.R. |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Jun 2025 14:13 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Jun 2025 14:13 |
| URI: | https://campus-fryslan.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/677 |
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