Social barriers in wind power implementation in The Netherlands: Perceptions of wind power entrepreneurs and local civil servants of institutional and social conditions in realizing wind power projects

Abstract

The primary social factors for the implementation of wind energy projects in a liberalized market are entrepreneurs willing to invest. Understanding conditions that trigger entrepreneurs to invest in these projects, and understanding conditions that determine the chance of success for entrepreneurs to implement and exploit their projects, is vital for setting up effective policies to stimulate wind electricity generation. This paper analyses the way in which wind power entrepreneurs and local civil servants experience social and institutional conditions in the operational process of realizing wind power projects, and their perceptions of policy implications. A groups support system in an electronic board room was used to analyze the perceptions. From the analysis it was concluded that wind power entrepreneurs and civil servants share the opinion that the institutionally embedded power position of local politicians, and the sensitiveness of the local political debate for the popular opinion are most critical for project realization. With regard to the proposed solutions, both groups differ in their approach. Entrepreneurs stress procedural solutions, such as limiting the possibilities to appeal, reducing the complexity of the formal authorization trajectory and using a top down planning approach. Civil servants stress more strategic solutions, such as providing more public information on the necessity of wind power for local politicians and citizens, and community

Levelling the playing field? The influence of national wind power planning instruments on conflicts of interests in a Swedish county

“…A large number of studies have shown that the most important argument against wind power is the visual impact on the landscape (Agterbosch et al, 2007;Pasqualetti, 2000;Toke, 2005;Toke et al, 2008;Wolsink, 2007). Other factors include noise and shadows, landscape intrusion, environmental concerns and decreased value of neighbouring properties (see Table 1).…”

“…Devine-Wright, 2005;Gross, 2007;Wüsterhagen et al, 2007) and suggest that the implementation of open and "collaborative" decisionmaking processes involving different stakeholders will result in less public opposition (Breukers and Wolsink, 2007;Wolsink, 2007;Wüsterhagen et al, 2007). Agterbosch et al, 2007;Coles and Taylor, 1993;DevineWright, 2005;Jobert et al, 2007;Johansson & Laike, 2007;Kellett, 2003, Pasqualetti, 2000Strachan & Lal, 2004, Toke et al, 2008Wolsink, 2000;Woods, 2003  Noice and shadows Agterbosch et al, 2007;Coles and Taylor, 1993;DevineWright, 2005;Strachan & Lal, 2004;Toke et al, 2008;Wolsink, 2000;Woods, 2003  Landscape intrusion (decreased value of natural and cultural landscape) Breukers & Wolsink, 2007;Coles and Taylor, 1993;Devine-Wright, 2005;Johansson & Laike, 2007;Toke et al, 2008;Woods, 2003  Environmental concerns (impact on wildlife, vegetation and soil etc.) Agterbosch et al, 2007;Coles and Taylor, 1993;Strachan & Lal, 2004;Toke et al, 2008;Wolsink, 2000;Woods, 2003  Decreased property values Agterbosch et al, 2007;Coles and Taylor, 1993;…”

“…typically some kind of permitting process (Agterbosch et al, 2007). 4 As recognised by Agterbosch et al (2007) and Nadaï (2007), however, siting is only one of several institutional conditions that influence the implementation of wind turbines. In particular they emphasise the importance of local land-use planning, which refers to decisions concerning the use of land in time and space.…”

“…e.g. Agterbosch et al, 2007;Bell et al, 2005;Gross, 2007;Pasqualetti, 2000;Wolsink, 2000). Against this background, the contribution of the paper is to complement the primarily siting-oriented literature with a planning perspective that may shed some light on the logic of local land-use planning and the influence of national planning instrument on this process.…”

To Re-Explore the Causality between Barriers to Renewable Energy Development: A Case Study of Wind Energy

“…His [24] studies pointed out that the level of participation of the public, and responses to public opinion were key factors which affected the future development of wind energy. In a 2007 study Agterbosch et al [33] pointed out that public opinion would still influence the outcome of wind energy development, even though the local government has the authority to make the final decision. That is, public awareness and participation in the development of RE can significantly impact a country's future development of its wind energy.…”