As the U.S. accelerates toward cleaner energy generation, wind and solar projects continue to promise environmental and economic benefits for communities. However, these projects often face significant hurdles at the local level, leading to delays, cancellations and substantial financial costs for developers. A Department of Energy study conducted in 2023 by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory underscores a compelling case for renewable energy companies to engage a public affairs firm to bolster community engagement efforts. By leveraging specialized expertise, developers can mitigate risks, reduce costs and pave the way for smoother project development.
The financial stakes are high. According to the study, the average cost of a delayed solar or wind project is approximately $200,000 per megawatt. Cancellations are even more costly, with solar projects averaging $2 million and wind projects $7.5 million per cancellation. These figures highlight the economic toll of community opposition, which, alongside restrictive local ordinances, is a leading cause of project delays and cancelations. The data is clear: community-level actions are a significant barrier to renewable energy development.
However, the study also reveals that developers believe that robust community engagement can significantly reduce these risks. Seventy-three percent of developers believe that increasing community engagement leads to fewer project cancellations. Furthermore, 71% report that the money saved by avoiding delays and cancellations far outweighs the costs of community engagement efforts. Community engagement turns out to be remarkably cost efficient, representing less than 0.1% of typical capital expenditures for recently built wind and solar projects. This smart investment yields outsized returns, making community engagement planned and executed by experienced professionals a cost-effective strategy for developers.
Despite these benefits, community engagement is not a simple task. Developers note that it is difficult to predict whether opposition will arise until a project is publicly announced, and they expect opposition to projects to continue to grow in the future. This uncertainty underscores the need for professional expertise. Navigating complex community dynamics, building trust and fostering dialogue with key stakeholders requires a skilled partner with experience in renewable siting. Unlike developers, whose skill sets lie generally in engineering and project management, a public affairs team brings strategic communication skills, stakeholder mapping and conflict de-escalation capabilities to the table. Their involvement can mean the difference between a project that faces substantial opposition and delays, and one that progresses smoothly.
The consequences of inadequate engagement are stark. The study found that 60% of solar projects and 45% of wind projects face delays of six months or more, with average delays lasting 11 months for solar and 14 months for wind. These protracted timelines erode profitability and delay the broader transition to low-emission energy.
As renewable energy projects are urgently needed to meet rapidly growing energy demand, community concerns will intensify. Developers cannot afford to view community engagement as an afterthought, or an in-house task squeezed into already stretched workloads. The study confirms that most developers believe engagement is worthwhile and reduces the chance of cancellations, while also being cost-effective. However, without the right expertise, these efforts risk falling short. Mower brings a disciplined, strategic approach that maximizes impact while minimizing costs.
Mower has helped developers across North America preempt these issues by engaging with communities early, addressing concerns proactively and aligning projects with local priorities. Utilizing an industry leading field team model and hyper local polling, the community assessment process identifies strategies and tactics key to project success. Mower plans and facilitates town halls, conducts targeted outreach to key stakeholders and crafts messaging that highlights the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy projects.
Additionally, Mower is adept at navigating the regulatory landscape. With local ordinances frequently cited as a primary cause of delays, Mower can work with communities to advocate for ordinances that support renewable energy development while addressing legitimate local concerns, such as land use or visual impacts. By fostering collaboration rather than confrontation, Mower can help developers avoid the pitfalls of restrictive zoning laws.
Investing in public affairs support is not just about risk mitigation, it is about building lasting stakeholder relationships. Communities are not obstacles to overcome, but partners in reaching much-needed energy solutions. By prioritizing engagement, renewable energy companies can foster goodwill, secure social acceptance, and keep projects on track. The data speaks for itself: a modest investment in community engagement can save millions in avoided delays and cancellations. As the renewable energy sector continues to grow, those who embrace professional public affairs support will not only protect their bottom line but also lead the charge toward meeting our energy needs.