Community Engagement for Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Projects

This programme is a structured, foundation-level training designed to enhance the quality and effectiveness of community engagement within the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. It addresses a recognised gap in current provision, which is predominantly process-oriented, by developing the interpersonal, communication, and conflict management competencies required for effective stakeholder engagement.

The course is sector-relevant but technology-neutral, ensuring applicability across wind, solar, energy storage, and grid development projects. It is designed to support improved engagement outcomes, increased public trust, and more efficient project delivery through strengthened practitioner capability.

Who should attend

• Community Liaison Officers (CLOs)
• Community engagement and stakeholder management professionals
• Project managers within renewable energy and infrastructure development
• Public affairs and external relations specialists
• Consents and planning professionals

Objectives and Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course learners should be able to:

• Improve quality and consistency of community engagement practice
• Enhance stakeholder relationships and reduced conflict escalation
• Increase capacity within project teams to manage complex community dynamics
• Align with statutory obligations and best practice standards

Course Content

1) Introduction to Renewable Energy

• Strategic drivers for renewable energy adoption
• Overview of key technologies: wind, solar, battery storage, renewable gas
• Renewable energy project lifecycle: pre-planning, planning, construction, operation, decommissioning

2) Foundations of Community Engagement

• Definition and principles of community engagement
• Statutory and regulatory requirements
• Value proposition for effective engagement
• Stakeholder identification and community mapping

3) Engagement Skills Development

• Active listening and empathetic communication
• Structuring and managing difficult conversations
• Conflict resolution techniques
• Addressing misinformation and disinformation
• Scenario-based role play (challenging and emotional interactions)

4) Advocacy and Representation

• Acting as an interface between community and project teams
• Capturing and communicating community concerns
• Supporting solution development and shared outcomes
• Enabling positive, community-led change within project frameworks

For more inforamtion and to make an enquiry, click here