Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company adapted the channels it used in line with the measures that were being enforced: virtual communication channels were employed and an additional space for exchange with mayors, residents and organisation representatives was created in telephone consultation hours previously announced in the local press, which was actively used. Furthermore, digital communication channels and tools which facilitate citizen participation were explored and employed, enabling the company to maintain regular contact with existing stakeholders and reach new ones. Against this backdrop, the company’s website was evaluated in terms of its user-friendliness and the behaviour it encouraged in new users; the structure and design of the information it held was then adapted and improved in line with the findings. During the reporting year, early public participation was also used for construction activities, such as ecological construction monitoring.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, information tours which had been planned with the DialogMobil (a vehicle which is equipped with information material about our projects) had to be postponed during the first half of 2021. The first tour, which comprised eight stops and related to the Südharz grid connection, was started at the end of June. Further information tours relating to the Mecklar-Vieselbach, SüdOstLink, Güstrow-Parchim-Süd-Perleberg and Hansa PowerBridge projects were then undertaken.