A Comparative Policy Analysis of Wind Farm Development Strategies in Ontario and Germany
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A COMPARATIVE POLICY ANALYSIS OF WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES IN ONTARIO AND GERMANY by Leo Lau, Bachelor of Environmental Studies Geography, University of Waterloo, 2005 Masters Research Project Presented to Ryerson University in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Applied Science in the Program of Environmental Applied Science and Management Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2014 ©Leo Lau 2014 AUTHOR'S DECLARATION FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF A MASTERS RESEARCH PROJECT I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this Masters Project Paper. This is a true copy of the Masters Project Paper, including any required final revisions. I authorize Ryerson University to lend this Masters Project Paper to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I further authorize Ryerson University to reproduce this Masters Project Paper by photocopying or by other means, in total or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I understand that my Masters Project Paper may be made electronically available to the public. ii A Comparative Policy Analysis of Wind Farm Development Strategies in Ontario and Germany Leo Lau, 2014 Master of Applied Science Environmental Applied Science and Management Ryerson University ABSTRACT Wind farm development strategies are compared with respect to gaining public acceptance between Ontario and Germany. Public opposition to wind farm development is currently experienced in Ontario and strategies employed by Germany to mitigate public opposition and gain public acceptance have been proven to be effective. These two jurisdictions are comparable due to similar jurisdictional responsibility for renewable energy development and implementation of climate change goals. Historical factors have been shown to trigger wind farm development for Ontario and Germany but certain historical events have played a larger impact to public acceptance in Germany. Germany has been able to maintain and increase the level of public acceptance to wind farm development by utilizing inclusive planning legislation and encouraging community based incentives. Ontario has developed legislation to increase wind farm development but has increased wind farm opposition. Ontario could increase public acceptance to wind farm development by learning from Germany’s experiences. iii Table of Contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................. v List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ v Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Wind Farm Development Opposition Cases in Ontario ............................................................................ 4 Wainfleet ............................................................................................................................................... 5 Prince Edward Road .............................................................................................................................. 5 Violation of the Charter of Rights ......................................................................................................... 6 Bill 39 ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Policy & Participation Comparative Analysis ................................................................................................ 7 Why Germany? ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Comparing Germany to Ontario ............................................................................................................... 8 Background ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Policy and Planning ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Germany History, Policy and Planning .................................................................................................... 13 Power Generation Past and Renewable Energy History ..................................................................... 13 Ontario History, Policy and Planning ...................................................................................................... 20 Ontario Power Generation Past .............................................................................................................. 20 Renewable Energy Policy ........................................................................................................................ 22 Former Environmental Assessment Process for Renewable Energy Projects ........................................ 23 Green Energy Act .................................................................................................................................... 23 Future Policy and Planning Direction .................................................................................................. 26 Incentives .................................................................................................................................................... 28 Environment ............................................................................................................................................ 28 Health ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 Economy .................................................................................................................................................. 30 Germany .............................................................................................................................................. 30 Ontario ................................................................................................................................................ 31 Community .............................................................................................................................................. 32 Germany .............................................................................................................................................. 32 Ontario ................................................................................................................................................ 34 Infrastructure and Feed‐In‐Tariffs (FITs) ..................................................................................................... 35 Infrastructure ‐ Germany ........................................................................................................................ 36 Infrastructure ‐ Ontario ........................................................................................................................... 38 Feed‐In Tariff ........................................................................................................................................... 39 Feed‐In‐Tariff in Germany ................................................................................................................... 40 iv Feed‐In‐Tariff in Ontario ..................................................................................................................... 41 Case Study ................................................................................................................................................... 43 Germany ‐ Zschadraß and Nossen Case Study ........................................................................................ 44 Ontario – Scarborough Bluffs Offshore Case Study ................................................................................ 46 Discussion ................................................................................................................................................... 49 Limitations ............................................................................................................................................... 54 Further Studies ........................................................................................................................................ 54 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................. 55 Policy and Planning ................................................................................................................................. 55 Incentives ................................................................................................................................................ 57 Infrastructure & Feed‐In‐Tariff ............................................................................................................... 58 References .................................................................................................................................................