Regional variation in public acceptance of wind energy development in Europe: what are the roles of planning procedures and participation?

The successful transition towards renewable energy (RE) technologies is closely intertwined with various societal aspects. Wind energy (WE) is one of the most controversial RE-types, possibly due to the multiplicity of related public concerns. Although some European country-comparisons exist, research concerning acceptance factors in different political and cultural planning contexts is scarce, especially in Eastern and Southern Europe. This paper explores the variation of (1) acceptance issues across Europe, and (2) patterns of strategic and local planning in affecting WE acceptance. We conducted an expert survey among the members of the COST Action ‘Renewable Energy and Landscape Quality’ and the association Wind Energy Europe. We found that acceptance issues – as perceived by the experts – across different regions in Europe share certain similarities, such as concerns about landscape impacts. The priority-levels of acceptance issues are specific to each region and link to the planning quality in that context. Planners’ and decision-makers’ increased awareness about the diversity of acceptance issues would allow them to design more appropriate strategic and local planning processes

Tool-box for effective renewable energy planning

Abstract of the whole book: In response to climate change and limited fossil fuels, renewable energy is being heavily promoted throughout Europe. Despite general support for green energy, perceived landscape change and loss of landscape quality have featured heavily in opposition campaigns. The COST Action ‘Renewable Energy and Landscape Quality’ (RELY) systematically investigated the nexus between renewable energy production and landscape quality. Its aim was to analyse how landscape protection and renewable energy deployment can be reconciled to contribute to the sustainable transformation of energy systems. This book compiles guidelines for assessing landscape suitability for, and vulnerability to, renewable energy projects together with a toolbox for landscape-aware public participation in planning. It furthermore elaborates a multilingual glossary of terms related to landscape and energy

Public acceptance of renewable energy projects: A focus in wind energy

Wind energy has been one of the most controversial renewable energy types considering its acceptance by the public and different stakeholders. This chapter first discusses the role of different acceptance concerns of wind energy. Then examples are provided about most relevant acceptance concerns across Europe based on the results of a recent expert web-survey. The chapter concludes with some recommendations for wind energy planning practice