As the WIMBY project enters its final phase, the last series of interactive workshops has just concluded in Rogaland, Norway: marking the end of a collaborative journey through our four pilot regions. With previous sessions held in Italy, Austria, and Portugal, this final round represents a key milestone as we shift our focus toward analysing the data collected and shaping our recommendations for the future of community-informed wind energy development.
Rogaland: a real-world testbed for offshore wind
Rogaland, and specifically the municipality of Karmøy, was selected for its unique characteristics. Unlike the other pilot regions, Karmøy is already at an advanced stage of offshore wind development. A demonstration wind farm with a capacity of up to 85 MW is currently proposed, including a new power line to connect it to the grid. The site also hosts advanced ecological monitoring systems, such as AI-assisted bird trackers, allowing researchers to study environmental impacts and explore dynamic mitigation strategies.
This hilly coastal region, rich in cultural heritage and agricultural traditions, also features multiple nearby conservation areas and popular recreational zones, a combination that makes it a complex yet ideal location to test WIMBY’s tools and approaches in a realistic planning environment.
Engaging citizens, experts, and students
As in previous pilot countries, the workshops in Norway were designed to involve a wide range of perspectives. Sessions were held with citizens, local experts, and students, offering everyone the chance to interact with WIMBY’s 3D visualisation tools, interactive maps, and planning simulations. Participants also took part in the “mental models” activity, where we explored how people perceive wind energy and its connections to broader environmental, economic, and social issues.
From engagement to analysis
Now that the workshops across all four pilot regions are complete, WIMBY moves into a new phase focused on analysing the feedback, preferences, and insights gathered from diverse communities and stakeholders. This data will be critical in assessing the effectiveness of our tools and in crafting evidence-based recommendations to support inclusive, transparent, and sustainable wind energy planning across Europe.
By connecting technology, science, and local knowledge, WIMBY continues to demonstrate the value of community engagement in driving forward a just and effective energy transition.
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