ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on an example of a decentralised energy transition process on the local level. It begins with a brief overview of Germany's recent energy policies on the federal and Lander (regional) level before looking at the specific outcomes of the local case study. The analysis focuses on Wolfhagen's key stakeholders and their underlying motivations, the interplay between local politics and framework conditions and the impact of the participation of citizens on local energy policies. Some important contextual factors have supported the development of Wolfhagen's energy transition process, including legal developments, contractual relationships and technical development in the field of renewable energy production. The energy transition process impacts the everyday life of civil society actors. A variety of programmes and incentives initiated by the local utility company, the citizen's energy cooperative, the project office of Energieoffensive Wolfhagen and by scientific programmes continue to promote energy saving behaviour and energy efficiency on diverse levels.
