What do we know about the effectiveness of local energy plans? A systematic review of the research

Abstract

Local energy planning is increasingly promoted as pivotal to decarbonising energy. However, widespread interest has not been matched by examination of whether plans achieve positive outcomes in practice. Nor is it clear whether the research surrounding local energy planning is useful in understanding and enhancing efficacy. To address these gaps, this paper systematically reviews research into local energy planning, using multiple search terms and content analysis of 182 items, applying analytical categories derived from planning theory. Results show a literature dominated by development of analytical tools, mobilising planning theories of ‘technocratic rationality’, but limited evidence of these tools being used in plan-making. By comparison, our review found relatively modest research interest in stakeholder engagement, negligible analysis of plan outcomes, and minimal critical analysis of implementation challenges. These findings can be treated as an indicator of research deficit, but also as reflective of local energy planning ‘realities’, in which plan-making is voluntaristic, implementation is patchy, and most effort is directed towards municipalities' own energy practices. Consequently, local energy planning and research have rarely driven the more challenging decarbonisation actions that might prompt critiques which could generate a broadening of theoretical and methodological perspectives. Future research agendas need to escape the confines of single loop learning.