The mayor said so? The impact of local political figures and social norms on local responses to wind energy projects

Wind energy plays an important role in the transition. However, many wind projects result conflicts at local level. Mayors and council members are key actors who can play a supportive, moderating, escalating, or mediating siting decisions about energy. Further, communities' social norms encapsulate their beliefs what project should be like. Alongside public expectations, these indicate layers of cultural dynamics standards communities. Hence, this study investigates responses to outcomes. This is achieved through empirical-qualitative approach which experiences four Bavarian case studies Germany illustrated using document analysis in-depth interviews. The results that mayors crucial Bavaria. Their support necessary but not sufficient for acceptance. Other stakeholders, next characteristics communication, as well external events, also have impact on over time. paper concludes with lessons learned communication information strategies, has implications policymakers practitioners relation designing planning projects.