Beyond ‘Not in my electoral Year’: Why do some elected officials oppose renewable energy projects?

• Political strategies, regulatory complexity, and personal beliefs shape opposition. • Local officials delay or block projects due to electoral risks or ideological views. • Governance fragmentation and financial constraints hinder energy transition efforts. • Officials act as mediators, amplifying or mitigating public resistance to projects. This study aimed to examine the reasons behind the wait-and-see and resistant attitudes of local elected officials regarding energy transition projects. Although there is consensus on the importance of renewable energy in combating climate change, its implementation at the local level often encounters opposition from several actors, including elected officials. This study identified the internal, external, and personal factors that influence this opposition by conducting semi-structured interviews with the French officials and stakeholders involved in the energy transition and by analysing the local and regional press. Our findings indicate that political strategies, regulatory complexities, and personal beliefs play significant roles in shaping officials’ decisions regarding energy transition projects. Furthermore, by proposing a typology of elected officials according to their modes of opposition, we offer insights to promote effective and sustainable local energy transitions.