Factors Affecting Public Acceptance of Wind Turbines in Sweden

Abstract

Wind power is growing in Sweden, but the high-level of opposition to turbine proposals has meant that many proposals are never realised. This opposition in a country that has a measured 74% support for wind power leads to questions being raised as to what is causing this opposition. Many have suggested that it is due to prevalent NIMBY attitudes; this, however, is only one factor affecting the public acceptance of turbines. The over-riding factor is the spatial distance between the costs incurred and the benefits derived from wind power. Perceived need for wind power, level of participation, individual considerations of visual impact and the amount to which the local community benefits determine the realisation of turbine proposals.