Moving into renewable energy futures: Public perceptions of renewable energy technologies - evidence from a Danish near-shore wind farm tender

Governments in many countries have prioritized more sustainable modes of energy production and a higher share of renewables in the national energy consumption for quite some time, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has become an international agenda. In Denmark, the national ambitions and plans for the transition to 100 % sustainable energy resources by 2050 rely heavily on wind power. However, in this country – as internationally - public support for wind power is high overall, but local resistance to specific local wind farm projects has been prevalent, a fundamental challenge for processes of energy transitions.
This research explores social dynamics, trends and project practicalities that influence and shape our perceptions of renewable energy technologies (RETs), and it does so using mixed empirical data, the majority from the Danish Energy Agency (DEA) 2015-2016 near-shore wind farm bid for tender. The research contributes to the significant body of energy transitions literature generally, and it contributes with empirical and analytical insights beneficial for renewable energy technology planning and policy more specifically. The cover essay selectively draws from and builds upon elements of data not yet unfolded/developed in the research papers, and it cautiously presents some novel observations, arguments and analytical ideas. The research papers consist of 1) a unique empirical case study overview of Danish near-shore wind farm tender, focusing specifically on the contentious Sejerø Bugt site EIA-process and on the role of contested scientific data, citizen actions and political dynamics in that regard. This provides the empirical setting for 2) an informative study of the Danish wind farm coownership/shares scheme, an incentive scheme designed to enhance local engagement in and acceptance of windfarms. 3) A study of differences in perceptions of the planned local near-shore wind farms amongst the two the key project stakeholder groups, permanent area residents (PRs) and second home owners (SHOs), follows, and finally 4), the impact of predefined uncertainty types on indicated respondent attitudes towards the planned local wind farms is tested. The cover essay includes some practical reflections on and recommendations for RET related local engagement and participation processes/activities, and elaborating upon the research findings, the wider research implications for RET related practice, policy and politics are discussed. How local RET projects are ultimately perceived by members of the local publics and other RET stakeholders depends on the wider project related governance structures, and individual/group reactions to and attitudes towards local RETs will also mirror the perceived/predicted stakes in the projects amongst those project stakeholders. Particularly personal values related to the local nature and to the local coastal landscape emerge as crucial for local perceptions of RET related
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change, and the research data documents significant differences in perceptions of/attitudes towards the planned local near-shore wind farms among PRs and SHOs. This suggest that the way in which people/stakeholder groups ‘use’ and are attached to places may inform how they perceive possible change to those same places.
The research findings have implications for RET related practice, planning and policy too. Firstly, the specific local context, the protect type and scope, and the relevant planning and legislative frameworks constitute the context for that project development. This project context, then, has repercussions on the openings and opportunities for local engagement and participation processes and activities. I suggest that a very pragmatic approach to such processes and activities, comprising comprehensive yet realistic and empirically grounded ambitions, may be beneficial. Secondly, personal values and some demographic variables inform how the individual stakeholders/stakeholder groups perceive local RET projects and the associated community benefit schemes. For example, empirical evidence reveals that values and the demographic variables gender, age and income influence the general appeal and reach of the Danish wind farm co-ownership/shares scheme among the local citizens it targets. Therefore, RET policy and practice should reflect - and to the extent practically possible - take into account these complex local social realities. Thirdly, the public and political debates about specific RET projects do not necessarily represent ‘local’ attitudes towards/perceptions of those projects. For example, this research data documented more local wind farm project support than project opposition, but still the negative minority and the project critique received much of the attention in the media and in the public/political debates. Perhaps documenting local levels of project opposition/support could prove a beneficial tool and a ‘reality check’ for the diverse project stakeholders involved.
Renewable energy technologies are readily available, increasingly feasible, and new technologies are rapidly emerging. Even so, whatever the character of those technologies some level of social and political contention linked to them should be expected. The inherent dilemmas of energy consumption patterns and RET facility siting linger, but I also emphasize our moral obligation to tackle the inherent dilemmas of RET siting controversies, and to persevere with those processes of energy transitions. Ultimately, the successes or failures of transitions to sustainable energy resources have global dimensions and future impact; these changes concern future generations too.