Social acceptance of new floating offshore wind power: Do attitudes towards existing offshore industries matter?

Abstract

Exploiting ocean-based wind resources is predicted to increase in the coming decades. Inaugurating offshore wind projects will intensify the use of ocean space, heightening competition for resources that could exacerbate conflicts with traditional offshore industries. Consequently, diminishing the acceptance of offshore wind. Using a national sample (N = 872), we conduct a choice experiment to measure Norwegians' willingness to pay for new floating offshore wind. Explicitly, we investigate whether Norwegians' attitudes towards existing offshore industries affect their acceptance of this new technology. The analyses reveal that Norwegians’ attitudes towards expanding oil and gas extraction, and aquaculture as well as their sociodemographic characteristics are robust indicators for their acceptance of floating offshore wind. Notably, young people and males are willing to pay more for floating offshore wind than older people and females. Additionally, positive attitudes towards co-locating ocean aquaculture and shipping with floating offshore wind increase acceptance for the latter. Succinctly, people who are positive towards expanding aquaculture, tourism and shipping activities are willing to pay, 737, 557, and 480 Norwegian Kroner, respectively, to install new floating offshore wind before 2030. The impending projects will possibly utilize subsidies. Hence, investigating social acceptance of this technology provides useful insights for a seamless implementation.