Together for our region: Power station forums

For an energy company, the planning of a new coal-fired power station is a difficult undertaking. There is often resistance within the region to the project and the company's relationship with its stakeholders is at risk. In this situation, IFOK achieves a balance of interests through ongoing dialogue between critics and supporters.

Energy companies are faced with diverse challenges, with public resistance to a planned coal-fired power station in the region. Discussions relating to the project quickly reach a high level of conflict and stalemate, and the debate is conducted almost exclusively in the media. Opponents plan campaigns early on and mobilise forces against energy companies. In a situation such as this, IFOK sets up a power station forum that brings critics and supporters to the discussion table. Energy companies are keen to work as equals with communication partners to find solutions acceptable to all. The focus in the power station forum is on dialogue: Transparency is the top priority. Classic means of communication bring the forum discussion into the public sphere. At the same time, they offer the people in the region an opportunity to express their worries and fears, and discuss topics in the forum. IFOK helps to create an objective debate about the construction of a power station, and this is reflected in local media reports. Power station forums have produced fruitful discussions between power station opponents and supporters, and this has enabled companies to prevent long-term damage to their image in the region.