Upscaling Local Experiences Related to Energy Transition: Cases of Wind Power in Northern Finland

During the past ten years, wind power has become an important source of income for many small municipalities and private landowners in Northern Finland. While local economic benefits related to wind power have been increasingly recognized, distribution of economic, environmental, and social impacts and benefits within the affected community and between different stakeholders may become sources of concern and conflict, challenging the perceived fairness of the transition at local level. This chapter discusses experiences gained from two small Finnish municipalities where several wind farms have been constructed. Experiences are analyzed based on information gathered from interviews and innovative interactions with residents and other stakeholders. Possibilities and potential strategies for leveraging local learnings related to energy transition and wind power construction are considered, focusing especially on the planning and implementation phase of local energy projects. Potential approaches for upscaling local learnings are conceptually discussed.