Time Evolution of Renewable Energy Applications Social Acceptability. The Wind Energy Case in Decarbonization Areas

Energy transition policy towards zero carbon electricity generation by 2030/2050 in European as well in national level is based on increased exploitation of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) giving great importance to public opinion and public participation. Considering the above, it is important to analyze in detail the society's current view regarding the installation of additional RES applications in local level. Wind energy is one of the most mature technologies applied in order to decarbonize the electricity sector, while due to the size of the contemporary wind turbines they are always a subject for intense debate. Moreover, social acceptability of wind parks has always been characterized by a dynamic relationship between local society and the corresponding applications. Actually, the general broad acceptance of RES varies widely when one considers public opinion locally in areas where RES projects have been or are going to be installed. In order to investigate the wind-based applications acceptance on an "objective" basis the Soft Energy Applications and Environmental Protection Laboratory of the University of West Attica recorded the time evolution of the public attitude during the last twenty years, since the first commercial wind energy applications are dated at late 90’s. The results of the recent research have been statistically processed. At present, the resulting conclusions are not as positive as in the previous decade and highlight the need for additional information concerning the benefits arising from the operation of similar installations.