Search: go

Reference

Summary of opinion surveys

8 out of 10 support their local wind project

The following paragraphs are the conclusion of 'A summary of research conducted into Attitudes to Wind Power from 1990-1996' complied by Anne Marie, Simon Planning and Research, Sept 1996

Between 1990 and 1996 thirteen different research studies were carried out by different research groups into public attitudes to wind power. All, with one exception - the Mynydd Yr Hendre Community Survey - were done by independent bodies.

In total, these surveys canvassed the opinions of 3,549 people, people who were able to have an informed, first hand view of wind farms by virtue of living close to a live, or proposed, site.

Every single study shows that the overwhelming majority of residents in areas with a wind project, are pro-wind power, both in theory as a renewable energy source and in practice in their area, with an average of 8 out of 10 supporting their local wind farm.

In fact, respondents who lived near a wind farm and had direct experience of the wind farm operating were more positive than those who did not have a wind farm near them.

Two studies were conducted prior to wind farms being built at Bryn Titli and Cilciffeth. Here opinion was less positive than in the surveys in which people had direct experience of a working wind farm. 75% in Bryn Title and 43% in Cilciffeth supported the proposal, with a much larger number of people remaining neutral to the proposal, especially in Cilciffeth.

In studies where opinions were canvassed at the time of construction and then some months afterwards, respondents were more positive at the second stage than at the first.

Where expressed, fears and concerns tended to concentrate on two key issues:

  • Noise
    Where two phases of research took place, concerns about noise and visual impact were less in the second survey than the first, demonstrating that direct experience of wind farms tends to allay fears for the majority of people. This was true in Cemmaes, where only 18% of people could hear the turbines, of whom only 2% were bothered by the sound. Again, in the BBC survey, in which noise was a primary concern at stage 1, at stage 2 only 21% could hear the turbines at all, and the majority of people were unconcerned by this.
  • Visual impact
    Concerns regarding the visual impact of the wind farms tended to follow the same pattern, with a decrease in those concerned at stage two, once the wind farms had been running for some months. For example, in the BBC study, 63% of those who could see a wind farm from their home still supported their wind farm.

In the Cornwall and Cemmaes studies, concern was also expressed regarding the cost efficiency of wind farms, both to design and build and in producing cheap electricity. Indeed, in the Cilciffeth study, only 5% of respondents realised that the wind farm could generate electricity for over 10,000 homes which in fact in this case proved to be for 25,000 homes.

More detailed information on the surveys on which this summary is based.

Selected Summaries

Public Attitudes Towards Windpower - A survey of opinion in Cornwall and Devon ETSU for the DTI, Feb 1994
A before and after study of Delabole wind farm over period 1990/92.

The attitudes of residents living in the area of the wind farm changed significantly in the period between the two surveys, becoming more favourable towards the use of wind energy (e.g. 90% of those who changed their minds did so in favour of wind energy.) The response to the question "In general do you disapprove or approve of wind power?" the response was 84.6% approve (40.1% approve strongly, 44.5% approve), 11.4% were not sure and 4% disapprove (3.3% disapprove, 0.7% disapprove strongly).

Taff-Ely Wind farm Public Opinion Study Report (prepared on behalf of East Midlands Electricity) by Robertson Bell Associates, Feb 1994

"Of those who express an opinion, respondents generally support the development of wind farm both nationally and in their own area."

"Over half of respondents (56%) thought that the turbines looked 'all right', a quarter (28%) thought they looked 'ugly' and over a tenth (15%) thought they looked 'graceful'."

Wind Turbine Power Station Construction Monitoring Study Countryside Commission for Wales, Feb 1994

70% respondents prepared to see more developments in their area.

Wind Farms Open Day Research and Auditing Services Ltd, April 1994
Survey of 3000 visitors to open days at 7 wind farms. 970 responses, self selecting sample.

Rate of those who approved or approved strongly of wind power went from 80% to 92% before and after the visit.

Love Them or Loathe Them? Public Attitudes Towards Wind Farms in Wales BBC Wales, Nov 1994
A survey based on a sample of 208 residents local to 3 wind farms. (Llandinam, Rhyd-y-Groes and Taff- Ely).

"The research indicated an overwhelming degree of support for wind power in Wales and the three local wind farms upon which the research was centred. Respondents had become more positive towards wind power following construction of their local wind farm and, even where the turbines could be heard inside or outside of respondents' homes, this did not necessarily turn them against the wind farm." 70% in favour of further expansion (some subject to conditions), 22% against, 8% no opinion.

The Sociological Impact of The Cemmaes Wind Farm. (Cemmaes, Wales) Renewable Energy (DTI), Dec 1994
A study carried out before and after construction of wind farm.

General increase in favourable response, only 5% against wind energy. 91% agreement that it is a good alternative to other sources of energy.