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 subject 2. Introduction: four starting points 2.1 Socio-technical systems 2.2 Acceptance of distinguishable aspects 2.3 Institutional change 2.4 Beyond common sense 3. Dimensions of social acceptance of energy innovation 4. Actors 5. Subjects of acceptance 5.1 Attitude objects and attributes 5.2 Two types of objects 5.3. Attitude object: Energy source 5.4 Attitude object: Wind development project 5.5 Mind the ‘gap’ 5.6 The backyard 6. Socio-political acceptance 6.1 Institutional conditions 6.2 Public opinion 6.3 Economic conditions and financial support 6.4 The impact of spatial planning and of location decision making 7. Community acceptance 7.1 Two dimensions of community involvement 7.2 Identity of place 7.3 Benefits 7.4 Fairness and trust 8. Market acceptance 9. Significant attributes connected to identity 9.1 Landscape/seascape 9.2 Wildlife 9.3 Annoyance by wind turbines: noise 10. Future direction