Wind Power: Basic Challenge Concerning Social Acceptance

This reference article gives an overview of social acceptance (acceptance by all relevant actors in society) of all relevant aspects of implementation and diffusion of wind power. In social acceptance three dimensions of acceptance are distinguished (socio-political -; community -; market acceptance) and two objects of acceptance: the application of wind power as a source of energy, and the acceptance of projects in which wind power is applied. This article explains why these two -in contrast to common sense expectations- are only weakly associated. Moreover, issues of acceptance are -again in contrast to common sense 'knowledge'- more pressing in policy realms and among the incumbents in the exisiting energy supply sector than among residents of communities hosting wind power infrastructure. Article Outline 1. Definition of the subject2. Introduction: four starting points 2.1 Socio-technical systems2.2 Acceptance of distinguishable aspects2.3 Institutional change2.4 Beyond common sense3. Dimensions of social acceptance of energy innovation4. Actors 5. Subjects of acceptance5.1 Attitude objects and attributes5.2 Two types of objects5.3. Attitude object: Energy source5.4 Attitude object: Wind development project5.5 Mind the ‘gap’5.6 The backyard6. Socio-political acceptance6.1 Institutional conditions6.2 Public opinion6.3 Economic conditions and financial support6.4 The impact of spatial planning and of location decision making7. Community acceptance7.1 Two dimensions of community involvement7.2 Identity of place7.3 Benefits7.4 Fairness and trust8. Market acceptance9. Significant attributes connected to identity9.1 Landscape/seascape9.2 Wildlife9.3 Annoyance by wind turbines: noise10. Future directions