Developing a Theoretical Framework to Explain the Social Acceptability of Wind Energy

Sigurd Hilmo Lundheim, Giuseppe Pellegrini-Masini, Christian A. Klöckner and Stefan Geiss
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Sigurd Hilmo Lundheim: Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 8900, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
Giuseppe Pellegrini-Masini: Department of Teacher Education, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
Christian A. Klöckner: Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
Stefan Geiss: Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 8900, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-24

Abstract: The social acceptability of wind farms has been researched for several decades now, with the first research tracing back to the 1980s. This paper aims to deliver a literature review within the structural framework proposed by the paper of variables influencing the acceptability of wind farms. The large amount of research published on the social acceptability of wind farms requires an effort to identify and categorise variables to deliver a holistic understanding of opposition and support to wind energy. We classify the variables into three main categories: first, ‘psychological variables’, including perceived benefits and costs, emotions, and attitudes; second, ‘contextual variables’, including community energy schemes and media influence; and finally, third, ‘personal resources’, including income or wealth, place of residence, and relevant knowledge in relation to the wind farm. In agreement with other scholars, we argue that NIMBYism (not in my backyard) is an outdated and simplistic explanation for opposition to wind farms. Instead, we provide a theoretical framework to explain the acceptability of wind energy and show how these variables might influence both acceptance and opposition.

Keywords: wind energy; social acceptability; NIMBY; literature review; social acceptance; renewable energy; media; bounded rationality; theoretical framework (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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