Alliander is a socially engaged organisation. Our projects are always prepared and implemented with the intensive participation of our stakeholders. When expanding and upgrading our infrastructure, for instance, we seek to build local support and acceptance. In this way, we actively connect with communities and contribute to responsible initiatives and networks.
Wind farms, solar panels, above and underground infrastructure: radical changes await the Netherlands as the energy transition is literally given shape. And that means: getting round the table with our stakeholders. Because everybody wants renewable energy, but not in their backyard.
Nobody wants to see the visible effects of the energy transition in their immediate surroundings. So now more than ever, we need to get all parties on board right from the word go. Only then can we keep our energy affordable and reliable. Effective stakeholder management is key to this endeavour. Alliander has therefore helped to set up an Energy and Environment Learning Platform (Dutch acronym: LEO). Other initiators are the government and several civil society organisations.
Sharing and learning
The participants in LEO are extremely diverse, ranging from large energy companies to local cooperatives. Together, they encompass all aspects of stakeholder management. Within the platform, they provide full and open access to their own efforts and results – both in their dealings with wider society and in terms of vital organisational measures to achieve effective stakeholder management.
Local stakeholder management
Alliander already puts a lot of effort into stakeholder management. Active civic participation is promoted with large projects and specially-appointed stakeholder managers seek to engage with communities and others as intensively as possible in the preparation phase of projects and during their execution. Examples of participation are drop-in evenings, consultation opportunities and roundtable sessions in preparation for new projects. Needless to say, local authorities are also closely involved.
Apart from our infrastructure expansions, there are plenty of other issues where we seek input from our stakeholders. This is crucial. Because the challenges we face together are extremely diverse. How can we help customers switch over to renewable energy? How can we create an e-vehicle charging network all over Europe? What ICT facilities and sensors are necessary to keep our energy networks reliable and affordable? And how can smart energy solutions help to resolve urban problems?
We actively participate in networks and partnerships in order to collectively find answers for the energy transition and other major challenges. A full overview of our interaction with stakeholders can be found in our annual report.