Local Communities’ Perceptions of Offshore Wind Farms in Greece: Evidence From the Diapontian Islands

Lydia Avrami, Othon Kaminiaris, Katerina Mela and Nicolas Demertzis
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Lydia Avrami: National Centre for Social Research, Greece
Othon Kaminiaris: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Greece
Katerina Mela: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Greece
Nicolas Demertzis: Department of Communication and Media Studies, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

Ocean and Society, 2026, vol. 3

Abstract: The development of offshore wind farms (OWFs) has become central to Europe’s low‐carbon transition, offering opportunities to decarbonize energy systems, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, and expand the blue economy. Greece, endowed with rich wind resources in its territorial waters, has recently adopted a comprehensive framework for offshore wind development, aiming to achieve 2 GW of installed capacity by 2030 and 12 GW by 2050. However, offshore wind deployment is not solely a technical or economic endeavor; it also depends on governance arrangements, social acceptance, and the ability to reconcile national ambitions with local realities. Drawing on 21 semi‐structured interviews with local stakeholders conducted in September 2024, this article aims to map and analyze the attitudes and perceptions of local communities and stakeholders towards the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of the planned OWF, focusing on the case of the Diapontian Islands. The sea area of the Diapontian Islands—a small island complex of the Ionian Sea, northwest of Corfu—has been designated as one of the potential areas for OWF installation. The findings demonstrate that perceived negative impacts on biodiversity and local economic activities, particularly tourism and fisheries, along with mistrust or distrust toward public authorities, fuel widespread opposition to the planned OWF in the area. Inclusive participation, transparent planning, and tangible reciprocal benefits emerge as key prerequisites for addressing public concerns and building trust around energy transition strategies.

Keywords: blue economy; Diapontian islands; energy justice; Greek islands; offshore wind farms; renewable energy governance; social acceptance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:ocesoc:v3:y:2026:a:11539

DOI: 10.17645/oas.11539

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