sueddeutsche.de
Suedlink Construction: TransnetBW Employs Liaison Officers to Address Citizen Concerns
TransnetBW, the energy supplier building the 700km Suedlink power line in Germany, is using dedicated liaison officers to communicate with citizens affected by construction, aiming to mitigate disruptions and ensure the project's acceptance before all permits are expected in 2025.
- What measures are being taken to address public concerns during the Suedlink construction?
- TransnetBW, the energy supplier building the Suedlink power line, is employing "Schnittstellenmanager" (interface managers) to communicate with citizens affected by the construction. These managers will act as liaisons between residents and construction crews along the 700km route. The project aims to transport green energy from northern to southern Germany, eventually supplying ten million households.
- How will TransnetBW manage potential conflicts with landowners and farmers affected by the project?
- The Suedlink project, costing approximately €10 billion, highlights the challenges of large-scale infrastructure projects. TransnetBW anticipates needing to address concerns such as noise pollution, traffic disruption, and construction-related mess, particularly given the 24/7 nature of some operations like high-pressure flushing. The company expects to receive all necessary permits by 2025 and begin construction in most sections this year.
- What are the long-term implications of Suedlink for energy distribution in Germany, and how might public perception influence the project's completion?
- The success of Suedlink hinges on effective communication and proactive mitigation of citizen concerns. The company's approach of assigning dedicated liaison officers is a crucial step in managing public perception and ensuring the project's acceptance. Future success will depend heavily on how TransnetBW addresses and resolves inevitable disruptions and complaints.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative frames TransnetBW's actions positively, emphasizing their proactive communication and efforts to minimize disruption. The headline and introduction highlight the company's commitment to dialogue, setting a tone that prioritizes the company's perspective over potential negative impacts on affected communities. The focus is on the company's response rather than a balanced representation of the situation.
Language Bias
The language used is mostly neutral, but there's a tendency to downplay potential problems. Phrases like "Wehwehchen" (minor ailments) and "beherrschbar" (manageable) soften the impact of potential disruptions. The statement that the noise remains under limits, even though it disturbs sleep, demonstrates a potential bias towards the company's perspective. More neutral language would be to state the facts without minimizing their impact, such as specifying the decibel levels and the duration of the noise.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on TransnetBW's efforts to mitigate disruption, but omits perspectives from citizens directly affected by the construction. While acknowledging some inconvenience, it doesn't detail specific complaints or negative impacts beyond general statements about noise and traffic. The lack of counterpoints from residents could create a skewed perception of the project's overall impact.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of the project's impact, framing it primarily as a matter of managing inconvenience rather than acknowledging potential broader societal or environmental consequences. It doesn't explore alternative solutions or weigh the project's benefits against its costs in a balanced way.
Gender Bias
The article uses gender-neutral language ('Bürgerinnen und Bürgern'), demonstrating awareness of inclusive language. However, the analysis doesn't delve into gender representation among project stakeholders or leadership, nor does it examine the potential differential impact of the construction on men and women.
Sustainable Development Goals
The construction of the Suedlink power line causes noise pollution, traffic disruptions, and dirt, negatively impacting the quality of life for residents. While efforts are made to minimize these impacts and provide communication channels, the scale of the project and its inherent disruptions pose challenges to sustainable urban development and community well-being. The quote "Das ist für alle betroffenen Bürger erst mal eine Beeinträchtigung, mit der wir umgehen müssen" highlights the negative impact on citizens.