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Wind power—An assault on local landscapes or an opportunity for modernization?

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  • Rygg, Bente Johnsen

Abstract

Wind power development has produced controversies in many places. Some people see wind power as a sustainable source of energy, others see it as destroying nature and landscapes. The opposition to wind power is often asserted to be from local forces and NIMBYism, and support to be based on the national and global benefits of increased supply of renewable energy. In this paper, I challenge this view by analyzing how local communities with established or planned wind power parks went through the process of developing wind power, what arguments they used and how they think about the wind power technology and its expected local effects. I found that most of the arguments in favor of wind power development addressed local concerns regarding the economy, modernization, and employment opportunities and not a need for sustainable energy. The opposition to wind power development was not based on NIMBYism. Rather, many different arguments were used, and the features of the controversies were distinct to each community.

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  • Rygg, Bente Johnsen, 2012. "Wind power—An assault on local landscapes or an opportunity for modernization?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 167-175.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:48:y:2012:i:c:p:167-175
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.05.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Picchi, Paolo & van Lierop, Martina & Geneletti, Davide & Stremke, Sven, 2019. "Advancing the relationship between renewable energy and ecosystem services for landscape planning and design: A literature review," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 241-259.
    7. Zerrahn, Alexander & Krekel, Christian, 2015. "Sowing the Wind and Reaping the Whirlwind? The Effect of Wind Turbines on Residential Well-Being," VfS Annual Conference 2015 (Muenster): Economic Development - Theory and Policy 112956, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    8. Copena, Damián & Simón, Xavier, 2018. "Wind farms and payments to landowners: Opportunities for rural development for the case of Galicia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 38-47.
    9. Groth, Theresa M. & Vogt, Christine, 2014. "Residents' perceptions of wind turbines: An analysis of two townships in Michigan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 251-260.
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