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EU CONSUMERS LOVE WIND ENERGY
source: www.wind-works.org/
articles/lg_rew0205.html
www.greenpeace.org.uk
www.windpower.org/en/
articles/surveys.htm
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Different public opinion surveys carried out in several European countries show substantial majorities in favour of wind energy, especially when compared with existing fuel sources:- In Germany, a 2002 poll showed 86% in favour of increasing wind’s contribution to the energy mix.
- In Britain, a poll by ICM, released in September 2004, showed that 80% support government plans to significantly increase the number of wind turbines, with just 8% opposed.
- In Scotland, a Mori poll was undertaken in 2002 regarding wind farms in the Argyll area. 80% of tourists said they would be interested in visiting a wind farm if it were open to the public with a visitor centre.
In some countries, direct involvement of the general public in wind energy projects has helped to encourage public acceptance:- In Denmark, about 150,000 families own wind turbines or shares in wind turbine co-operatives. More people are employed in the Danish wind industry than in fisheries.
- In Spain, Navarra included environmental impact assessment as a key aspect in site selection right from the start, thus preventing local conflicts.
- In 1998, a survey in the region of Friesland (The Netherlands) showed that more than 85% of the population wanted to be kept informed about plans for new wind-power. 60% believed that the distribution of information was a job for the local authorities. Another 5% thought that it was a job for the provincial authorities. Only 13% believed it was a task for the media.
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