The role of local government in the community engagement of a renewable energy company in South Africa

• Published in: Journal of energy in Southern Africa Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 14 - 23
• Main Authors: Kenneth Robinson, Bryan Michael, Stephens, Siân
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 01.08.2021
• Subjects: corporate community engagement; Local government; Renewable energy; South Africa; Sustainable development
• ISSN: 1021-447X; 2413-3051
• DOI: 10.17159/2413-3051/2021/v32i3a9403

Adopting a qualitative case study approach of a renewable energy company in South Africa, the research investigated community engagement within the tripartite relationship of a wind farm, the communities around it, and the local government. It was found that local government played a moderating role in the community engagement efforts of the wind farm, which had to comply with certain engagement protocols determined by local government. Local government also played a mediating role in corporate community engagement, as the wind farm developed its engagement strategy in alignment with local government’s policies and acted as a ‘dot-connector’ between local government and communities. The wind farm played a reciprocal mediating role on local government’s own engagement with their communities in the face of local government’s inefficiencies, and complemented service delivery outcomes. The wind farm’s engagement strategy thus enabled local development, which was appreciated by communities and local government.