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BWEA & SRF Press Release

Monday 25th August 2003

Wind farms make good neighbours

Renewables industry welcomes survey findings

The UK's leading renewables bodies, the British Wind Energy Association and Scottish Renewables Forum, today welcomed the release of a new Scottish Executive survey showing overwhelming support for wind farms from those whose views matter most: their neighbours

The survey of residents living around Scotland's 10 existing wind farms found high levels of acceptance and overwhelming support for wind power, with support strongest amongst those who lived closest to the wind farms.

Rob Forrest, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables Forum, commented:

"This survey shows that the Scottish public wants wind. The fact that the majority of those living near wind farms would support an extension of these farms shows that wind works and is already a good neighbour to communities in Scotland.

"One day, wind turbines will become common-place and unremarkable in Scotland and no one will bat an eye-lid at the news, or the sight of the latest wind farm. A survey like this is proof that Scotland wants wind, and that people understand that wind works, brings clean green power, brings jobs and has a place in the Scottish countryside."

Marcus Rand, Chief Executive of the British Wind Energy Association, said:

"It is fantastic news that we are developing a new industry with such high levels of public support. Let's hope this comprehensive study puts to rest the myth that wind energy is unpopular. The truth is that those who live closest to Scotland's wind farms are three times more likely to say it has a positive impact on their area than not.

The challenge for industry is to ensure that the vast but silent majority that support wind energy are heard by local decision makers. If you want to join in and support your local wind farm proposal then go to www.yes2wind.co.uk and make your voice heard."

The results of this survey match that of an earlier Scottish Executive survey 'Public attitudes to the Environment in Scotland 2002', which found that the Scottish public would prefer the majority of their electricity to come from renewables, and rated wind power as the cleanest source of renewables

Both sets of results closely echo the findings of previous opinion polls carried out in the UK since the first wind farm started generating electricity. An analysis of 42 surveys conducted between 1990 and 2002 shows averages of 77% of the public in favour of wind energy, with less than one in ten people against. An average eight in ten people in the UK are consistently supportive of wind power technology, a level of support that has been maintained for over a decade

Notes:

1 The MORI Scotland study for the Scottish Executive study can be found online at www.scotland.gov.uk/enterprise/energy:

• Public Attitudes to Wind Farms 2003 (Final survey results) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/environment/pawslr.pdf
• Public Attitudes to Wind Farms 2003 (Final research findings) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/resfinds/grf12.pdf

2 The Scottish Executive report Public attitudes to the Environment in Scotland 2002 states that: "Taking the mean value for each source, respondents indicated that they would prefer almost half (49%) of electricity to be generated from renewables, 16% from nuclear, 16% from coal and oil and 18% from gas." P.10.

3 The analysis of public attitude surveys was compiled as the British Wind Energy Association released the results of a UK-wide opinion poll which showed that 74% of British bill payers were in favour of increasing the use of wind power. Details at www.bwea.com/view/news/round2.html.

4 Scottish Renewables Forum is Scotland's leading renewables body. It works closely with members from across technology sectors to promote the economic, environmental and social benefits of utilising Scotland's renewable resources. Based in Glasgow, it works to support industry throughout Scotland, on behalf of a membership of over 80 organisations.

5 The British Wind Energy Association is the Association representing the UK wind energy industry. BWEA engages with all stakeholders in promoting the development of our vast wind resource to maximise economic and environmental benefits to the UK.