Arctik is proud to deliver the "Grid Infrastructure Communications Toolkit for the *European Commission DG Energy.

The website was launched on 24 June 2014 and aims to improve public acceptance and understanding of investment needs in the power network by reconnecting people with where power comes from, the role it plays in their lives and explaining the continuing need to provide this infrastructure. Hence, secure public acceptance for energy infrastructure projects.

Secure, clean and affordable energy

Across Europe efforts are underway to develop and upgrade power transmission networks, which enable a reliable, sustainable and affordable supply of electricity. The investment needs for the energy infrastructure are estimated to be around 1 trillion EUR (1) until 2020, of which 140 billion EU (2) are needed for high-voltage electricity transmission systems, storage and smart grids of European importance. Reducing public opposition in order to speed up the implementation of electricity infrastructure is therefore key to reach these EU energy objectives (3) and therefore meet existing and emerging challenges.

What’s behind your plug?

The European Commission has launched the Grid Infrastructure Communications Toolkit to encourage a dialogue with citizens, to involve them at each stage of an energy infrastructure project while highlighting the necessity of developing this infrastructure.

The toolkit contains different methods to support a constructive dialogue on grid development projects at a local level in Europe and can be used by policy makers, NGOs, Transmission Service Operators (TSOs) and local stakeholders.

Together with its partners, Roland Berger and Deloitte/Bio Intelligence Service, Arctik created and developed this toolkit. During its production, Arctik participated in the overall project management, designed and created the website, elaborated messages and content, mapped and engaged stakeholders, shaped the agenda of TSOs, and co-organised local workshops to test the toolkit with citizens, local communities and regions. Overall, Arctik was engaged on each step of the project in order to turn the toolkit into a success story.

Follow @Arctik_EU on Twitter to get our latest sustainable news! Interested in grid infrastructure and energy security, check out #EnergySecurity 

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(1) European Commission (2010): Energy infrastructure priorities for 2020 and beyond – A Blueprint for an integrated European energy network.

(2) European Commission (2011): Energy infrastructure investment needs and financing requirements

(3) European Energy Strategy