Abstract
Abstract Wind energy experienced an exponential development in the past two decades, forming a main source of energy today, but also a frequently encountered issue of debate due to the increased proximity of wind turbines to citizens’ residence, especially in the case of the Western part of the European Union. Although the benefits of renewable sources of energy represent a compulsory effort towards ensuring sustainable energy strategies for the future, due to the increased pressure of balancing climate change, limitation of traditional energy resources and economic competition, the expansion of wind parks has caused strong reactions of local communities in many regions leading to the reorganization of public exposure strategies of many companies in the field. This research intends to offer a sample of public perceptions of wind turbines depending on several influence factors, based on the answers of 64 Dutch citizens and 40 Romanian respondents. Through the implementation of the Delphi method based on questionnaires and interviews, an overview of perceptions towards placement of wind turbines in the two analyzed countries has been offered, providing significant answers to the influence factors of public reactions for or against wind turbines. The main results of the research revealed the importance of financial benefits in increasing public acceptance of wind farms, as well as several subjective factors, such as the visual impact of wind turbines and onshore or offshore placement, that contribute to a positive or negative behavior of citizens towards it.
Highlights
Wind power has encountered a significant development in the past years cumulating a level of 141758,8 MW installed capacities in the European Union in 2015 (EWEA, 2015)
The respondents who admitted the importance of the visual impact in public reactions mentioned light colors, such as white, grey, they have usually seen already in wind turbines make them acceptable as a presence in a landscape, while the distance from residential areas was confirmed as an important element for their acceptance
The majority of the Romanian respondents had a positive approach when asked about the instalment and design of wind turbines, considering them as a positive influence in the landscape and modern technology for a sustainable energy, while the Dutch ones were more cautious and reluctant when debating about the subject, involving more objective factors, such as the impact on property value, health, environmental damage and other effects before giving an opinion
Summary
Wind power has encountered a significant development in the past years cumulating a level of 141758,8 MW installed capacities in the European Union in 2015 (EWEA, 2015). The study of Lilley et al (2010) shows that offshore wind turbines should be placed at least 16km apart from the shore, as they do decrease slightly the tourism in the region if they are visible While generally, it is considered, that the offshore wind projects are not exposed to the public protests risk and sometimes are contributing to the increased public acceptance more authors have revealed the opposite: in the cases of Jay (2008) and Wolsink (2010) their research indicated offshore wind turbines affect the routes of certain fish species, sea life, have been the subject of tourism agencies protests and public protests, as they are approaching shores in the case of some regions. The necessity of involving other affected parties by the instalment of wind projects is increasing with the expansion of wind parks across the globe
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