Evolving Energy Conditions and Their Impact on Municipal Energy Planning and Grid Development, with a case of Aarhus and Thisted
Translated title
Udviklingen i betingelserne for energi og dets betydning for kommunal energiplanlægning og udvikling af elnettet, med eksempler fra Aarhus og Thisted
Authors
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-05-27
Pages
102
Abstract
This thesis explores how evolving structural conditions have shaped the role of municipal energy planning in Denmark, with a case of Aarhus- and Thisted Municipality. It examines how strategic energy planning (SEP) approaches can account for electricity grid development, and how institutional and regulatory frameworks influence local planning practices. A historical analysis of Aarhus Municipality’s planning practices reveals a path dependency shaped by structural conditions, leading to institutional path dependency, and a misalignment between municipal energy planning and electricity grid expansion. Fragmented governance and regulatory inertia limit municipalities’ ability to coordinate with electricity grid infrastructure actors, and plan holistically. Through a comparative analysis, Thisted Municipality demonstrates how local adaptation of SEP practice, with tools such as spatial zoning, and early stakeholder involvement, can support integration of energy infrastructure. However, differences in local conditions, and the voluntary nature of SEP, mean such approaches are not directly transferable. The thesis concludes that enabling municipalities to act as strategic actors in the energy transition requires improved coordination, clarified institutional roles, and adequate resources, alongside broader governance reforms.
Keywords
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