Posters

Abstract

This paper examines the influence of different factors on community acceptance of wind farms. It is based on a large online survey. We examine socioeconomic factors as well as attitude to aspects of wind energy, attitude to wind farm features, community benefits and other influences on respondents’ willingness to accept a local wind energy development. We use an ordered logit model to identify drivers of acceptance as well as resistance. We find differences in the responses from the subgroup that live within three kilometres of an existing wind farm compared to those that live further away. We categorize the respondents as very positive, moderately positive, moderately negative and very negativetowards wind energy and find differences in the responses of these groups to benefit sharing. The survey revealed a strong preference for community ownership. The findings will help policymakers and wind farm developers to have a better appreciation of the issues that underpin acceptance, and rejection, of wind farm developments.