Beyond resistance: A quantitative assessment of conflict and public participation in energy projects in Chile

Abstract

The Paris Agreement of 2015 marked a milestone in global efforts toward decarbonization, prompting a rapid expansion of renewable energy generation worldwide. Solar and wind power have become central to this process, yet their implementation has often generated social conflict. While existing research has documented these tensions, most studies rely on single or small-N case analyses, limiting broader comparisons. Moreover, largescale quantitative assessments of conflict dynamics across different energy technologies remain scarce. This article examines the characteristics of energy projects most likely to generate social conflict in Chile—one of Latin America’s leading countries in renewable energy deployment and decarbonization planning. Using data from 202 energy projects submitted to Chile’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system between 2013 and 2021, the study combines quantitative analysis of project attributes with a qualitative exploration of citizen observations related to wind energy initiatives. The results show that conflicts do not arise exclusively from wind or solar energy projects but from energy projects in general, particularly large-scale developments. Conflicts typically involve both institutional and non-institutional forms of citizen participation, reflecting diverse pathways through which local communities express discontent. In the case of wind projects, contestation frequently centers on the lack of transparent and reliable information, especially regarding biodiversity impacts and local pollution. By identifying the characteristics and mechanisms underpinning conflictive energy projects, this study contributes to improving the governance of the energy transition and advancing a more socially inclusive decarbonization pathway in Chile and beyond.

Gonzalo Franetovic

Postdoctoral Researcher

Researching on how social inequalities are reproduced, reinforced, or contested through social relationships.