Building Trust and Social License: Stakeholder Engagement for APAC Offshore Wind Development

​The Asia-Pacific offshore wind sector is experiencing a pivotal transformation as regional governments ramp up renewable energy targets and industry players respond to global net-zero demands. This shift is marked by complex regulatory landscapes, lengthy permitting processes, and the necessity to harmonize project ambitions with the priorities of local stakeholders and communities. Offshore wind industry is increasingly expected to demonstrate strategic due diligence—aligning policy, finance, and technology—with robust stakeholder engagement at the core of project delivery.

​Across the region, the potential for offshore wind to drive economic revitalization and support job creation is well recognized, yet industry expansion may cause apprehension among local residents, fisheries, and coastal businesses, especially where social or environmental impacts are not adequately addressed through transparent, inclusive engagement. As a result, this panel will discuss ways of co-existence, mitigating the impacts, and ensuring community concerns are addressed at every phase of the project lifecycle.

​Objectives

​•   Enhance stakeholder engagement frameworks to build public acceptance for offshore wind.

​•   Promote ongoing dialogue and collaborative solutions between developers, local communities, and government authorities.

​•   Share best practices, regional lessons and approaches for transparent, inclusive decision-making.

​Keynote speaker/moderator: Dr. Milan Chen, Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC)

​Panelists:

​•   Janice Cheong, Deputy Director, Asia, GWEC

​•   Nadia Gullestrup Christensen, Senior External Affairs Advisor, Ørsted

​•   Mika Ohbayashi, Director, Renewable Energy Institute

​Guiding Questions:

​1.        What are the most common and significant social, economic, and cultural impacts (both positive and negative) experienced by APAC coastal communities, beyond just fisheries, from offshore wind development?

​2.        How can developers ensure that project design and technology selection are genuinely adaptive and responsive to local community concerns, effectively mitigating negative impacts throughout the project lifecycle?

​3.        What support or institutional frameworks are most needed for government authorities to effectively manage, mediate, and build consensus among different stakeholders (sometimes with competing interests) in offshore wind development?