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Stakeholder engagement and Irish public perception of offshore wind farms
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Date
2020-07-31
Authors
Cronin, Yvonne
Journal Title
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Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
Public attitude towards onshore wind farm development in Ireland has been extensively
investigated, as the sector is a relatively well-established sector in Ireland today. In contrast, currently there is little or no understanding of the perception of the Irish public to offshore wind farms (OSWFs). At this critical juncture in the accelerated development of the offshore wind sector, it is necessary to gauge public opinion regarding offshore wind farms. Of the many challenges associated with the development of the offshore wind industry in Irish waters social acceptance is potentially one of the most significant obstructions. To attain social acceptance of a development, it has become crucial to identify and involve the various stakeholders (at all levels) at the earliest possible stage or expose the project to the possibility of public disputes, opposition and delays. In order to involve stakeholders in any process, the stakeholders must first be identified and then mapped, in order to ascertain their potential influence over the project. These levels of influence of stakeholders, shift and change over the lifetime of the project. There is also a significant difference between the general acceptance of sustainable energy expansion and the acceptance of tangible, proposed renewable energy projects by the
general public. Gaining a snapshot of social attitude towards offshore wind development
provides a useful tool with which to understanding public opinion regarding offshore wind
development. It is also essential information in order to know at what level to pitch a public
information campaign regarding offshore wind development. The effect that print media has on attitudes of those who read it has also been shown to be significant. As a result, understanding the framing of the ‘offshore wind development’ message from the print media sector is also crucial in understanding the perception of the Irish public towards the offshore wind farm industry in Ireland. The aim of the research was to understand the many facets of public perception of offshore wind development in Ireland. This study used a mixed methods approach guided by existing studies of the same subject in other jurisdictions. A stakeholder mapping exercise identified stakeholders according to seven categories; government , supply chain, vested interest groups, general public, print media, political representatives, and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Issues of concern from the perspective of the offshore wind industry were important to understand. These findings influenced the research design for this thesis, which was undertaken as part of the Science Foundation Ireland EirWind project on a blueprint for offshore wind. A national survey was undertaken to develop the first overall picture of the public
attitude of the Irish population to offshore wind farms, and their attitude to potential future
development. The survey was nationally representative, with 1154 completed questionnaires analysed. Results indicate that attitudes to planned OSWFs change significantly with education levels.
Most of those questioned believed that Ireland is too reliant on foreign energy and agreed that Ireland is running out of its limited fossil fuel reserves. The majority of people also believed that the government is not doing enough to reduce carbon emissions and should invest in offshore wind farms. 63% of those surveyed believed that offshore wind farms would increase Ireland’s job creation potential. A clear majority of those who took part in the survey were in favour of offshore wind farms both on a local and national level. Just over half of the participants believed that offshore wind farms are the best solution to our energy situation.
Approximately half of respondents had previous experience of offshore wind farms (the majority of whom had experienced offshore wind farms on holiday). To further investigate the perception of those who are regularly exposed to offshore wind farms, a focus group involving members of the public with regular exposure to Ireland’s only wind farm The Arklow Bank, was held. The scope of sentiment expressed towards the offshore turbines ranged from benign to extremely positive. Returning to the results of the national survey; in terms of the effect on wildlife, tourism and aesthetics, respondents found offshore wind farms to be relatively unobtrusive and in general a positive addition to the seascape. The respondents' attitudes towards offshore wind farms was shown to change significantly with their primary source of printed news. As a result, a media content analysis was also conducted to identify arguments used in the presentation of offshore wind to the public, while the sector is at a nascent stage of development.
The study revealed Ireland’s offshore renewable industry making slow but consistent progress towards expansion of offshore wind generation with coverage intensifying from 2018. Negative sentiment was perceived with regard to coverage of government action or decisions, which revealed the importance of framing; this is shown in the context of media informing public opinion. In short, this research provides valuable insights into public perception of offshore wind in Ireland, at a time when development is likely to increase significantly. While opposition may be anticipated at a local, project level in the future, a window of opportunity exists to facilitate a national discourse via a public awareness campaign at a national level, supported by government and industry.
Description
Keywords
Offshore wind , EirWind , Public perception , Renewable energy , Media content analysis , Stakeholder engagement
Citation
Cronin, Y. 2020. Stakeholder engagement and Irish public perception of offshore wind farms. MRes Thesis, University College Cork.