Communities like having wind farms as neighbours

On May 31, community gathering Good Neighbours took place in Kražiai, Kelmė district, for the second time. It was organised by Ignitis Renewables, a renewable energy company. Representatives of community organisations from all over Lithuania gathered at the event, including representatives of communities, schools, and non-governmental organisations from areas where wind farms are already operating or will soon be built. It was a great opportunity to share insight on what it is like to live near a wind farm, what financial opportunities are available, to share experiences and strengthen ties between the people who are connected through their neighbour.

“Besides taking place every year, I wish these gatherings would also become a place where people can casually chat, without formalities, about what really matters to them. Each community brings its own experience as some of them are living near our projects for many years, while other are only just beginning their journey together. However, all of them share the same needs to be heard, to participate to create meaningful change in their environment. For us, it is very important that we are not perceived just as energy project developers. We wish to be reliable, responsive and open partners. I believe that a lasting connection is built when we are talking about everyday challenges, ideas and expectations, not just kilowatts,” says Emilija Musteikytė, Communities Engagement Team Lead at Ignitis Renewables.

One location, different experiences

This year, community representatives came to Kražiai from various locations in Lithuania, including Mažeikiai, Kretinga, Jurbarkas, Kelmė, Plungė, Jonava, Pakruojis, Pasvalys, Klaipėda and other districts. Most of them represent communities that reside near wind farms, both operating and under development.

The programme of the gathering was dedicated to live conversations. After a brief opening, everyone came together for a general discussion on what it is like to live near renewables projects. People discussed about how the development of wind farms affects their daily lives, what expectations the communities have and what it means to be heard not just in the planning stage, but throughout the sustainable partnership.

The community representatives repeatedly said that the financial support programmes of Ignitis Renewables actually help transform their environment and create added value, both when it comes to renovating infrastructure and creating new initiatives. The Girkaliai community has been initiating projects for three years now and is very happy with the results: “Our first project was information displays which increased the interest of the people in our settlement. We also received financial support for our community centre. We renovated the roof and we installed insulation solutions and furbished premises. People are happy about it and say that the house is very beautiful, and that the settlement has changed. Each project is not just a change for us, it is an incentive to create more,” says Gražina Bakevičienė, Girkaliai Community Chair.

In some communities, trust in renewables is born through personal experience. Sigitas Stonys, a beekeeper from Vilkyškės eldership had an idea to test, by himself, whether wind turbines hurt bees. “I had around a hundred apiaries, and I brought nine of them to a wind turbine. In spring, many plants were blooming around it, and there were no other apiaries around. The beehives there grew much stronger than the rest. I hadn’t noticed any negative impact. On the contrary, the beehive grew and the honey yield increased,” shared the beekeeper.

The community representatives stress that such initiatives are not just about financial support, they are about creating sustainable connections with local people. Ignitis Renewables is an example of how a socially responsible business can both invest and create real connections with communities. Such partnerships improve daily lives with educations, new cultural initiatives, lit areas and theatres, etc. Such practices must be visible because they show examples of how businesses can enable communities to act and live better lives,” said Eglė Juozapavičienė, Chair of the Lithuanian Union of Local Community Organisations.

Representatives from the Kražiai community have also shared their experience. Although the nearby Kelmė wind farm only began operations this year and the community itself is just getting acquainted with wind energy, their engagement already shows how much can be achieved through local initiative. “We are just getting used to wind turbines, but we are very happy. This year, we applied for financial support for the first time and received EUR 42 thousand. We used the funds to install a theatre studio and now are preparing for a premier. We will create a play about our life, about our village,” said Kristina Bertašienė, Kražiai Community Chair.

Neighbourhoods that turn into partnerships

The participants in the gathering visited Kelmė wind farm. It is one of the most ambitious projects developed by Ignitis Renewables. Considering its scale, it carries significance for both Lithuania's and the entire regions energy sector. The visit allowed people to see the development of the projects of such size up close and reminded us once more why such gatherings are so important. Questions need to be heard, and answers must be provided.

Good Neighbours is a place for conversations between the people living around the changing environment and the people who are implementing these changes. A gathering that took place last year for the first time showed that such meetings are necessary. They help dissipate doubts, encourage to act and sometimes just allow people to be heard.

“The most important thing is that people come here not just to listen, but also share without formalities about their daily lives. They talk about lights in the streets, about spaces for children, about how to live more comfortable lives, come together and celebrate. When you hear about the initiatives of others, you gain courage and ideas, and then the financial support becomes an opportunity as well as a catalyst for change. For us, it's very important that the projects benefit both the energy sector and the dear people who live nearby,” says E. Musteikytė.

Projects that inspire others

“Kražiai were selected for the gathering not by accident because one of our largest projects, Kelmė wind farm, is located nearby. We wished for communities to have an opportunity to see how such projects look in reality, up close. We talk big numbers, but people actually have very direct questions and expectations about changes. That's why for us, besides generating clean energy, it is important to be close to those who live in the neighbourhood of these projects,” says E. Musteikytė.

This year Kražiai welcomed new faces along with the return of communities that have already implemented specific projects. Pikeliai refurbished premises dedicated for pilgrims, installed lighting solutions. Vydmantai built a stage, an outdoor class and installed stadium fences. Such gatherings have become an important part of communication. They help build a more sustainable connections with communities and inspire to initiate more meaningful projects that change the lives of the locals.

The financial support awarded to communities located near wind farms of Ignitis Renewables that are operational or under development is significant.  In three years, the company has already granted EUR 900 thousand for community initiatives in Lithuania.