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Social representations of intermittency and the shaping of public support for wind energy in the UK

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  • Patrick Devine-Wright
  • Hannah Devine-Wright
Abstract
The practicality of UK renewable energy policy, given the potential impacts of intermittency, has been contested by expert institutions. At the same time, wind energy developments have engendered local controversy and civic campaign groups have emerged at local, regional and national levels. This research integrates these strands in exploring how intermittency is communicated to the public by campaign groups as part of their arguments against or in favour, of wind energy, using social representations theory. Qualitative analysis was conducted on the web material from ten groups operating at different levels across the UK. The results indicated that sceptics made intermittency familiar using concepts of unpredictability and uncontrollability, as well as notions of work over idleness; while supporters referred to variability and fluctuation. Specific themata suggest, despite polarised views, a common underlying structure to social representations of intermittency, centring on compatibility with the grid, views of the weather, the distinctiveness of wind energy and the virtue of facts over myths. The implications of the results are discussed in relation to the shaping of public perceptions and the legitimacy of UK energy policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Devine-Wright & Hannah Devine-Wright, 2006. "Social representations of intermittency and the shaping of public support for wind energy in the UK," International Journal of Global Energy Issues, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 25(3/4), pages 243-256.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijgeni:v:25:y:2006:i:3/4:p:243-256
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Laura Mariani & Benedetta Trivellato & Mattia Martini & Elisabetta Marafioti, 2022. "Achieving Sustainable Development Goals Through Collaborative Innovation: Evidence from Four European Initiatives," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(4), pages 1075-1095, November.
    2. John Colton & Kenneth Corscadden & Stewart Fast & Monica Gattinger & Joel Gehman & Martha Hall Findlay & Dylan Morgan & Judith Sayers & Jennifer Winter & Adonis Yatchew, 2016. "Energy Projects, Social Licence, Public Acceptance and Regulatory Systems in Canada: A White Paper," SPP Research Papers, The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, vol. 9(20), May.
    3. Wolsink, Maarten, 2007. "Planning of renewables schemes: Deliberative and fair decision-making on landscape issues instead of reproachful accusations of non-cooperation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 2692-2704, May.
    4. Axsen, Jonn, 2014. "Citizen acceptance of new fossil fuel infrastructure: Value theory and Canada׳s Northern Gateway Pipeline," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 255-265.
    5. Eltham, Douglas C. & Harrison, Gareth P. & Allen, Simon J., 2008. "Change in public attitudes towards a Cornish wind farm: Implications for planning," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 23-33, January.
    6. West, J. & Bailey, I. & Winter, M., 2010. "Renewable energy policy and public perceptions of renewable energy: A cultural theory approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(10), pages 5739-5748, October.
    7. Gonyo, Sarah Ball & Fleming, Chloe S. & Freitag, Amy & Goedeke, Theresa L., 2021. "Resident perceptions of local offshore wind energy development: Modeling efforts to improve participatory processes," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    8. Sherry-Brennan, Fionnguala & Devine-Wright, Hannah & Devine-Wright, Patrick, 2010. "Public understanding of hydrogen energy: A theoretical approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(10), pages 5311-5319, October.
    9. Jones, Christopher R. & Eiser, J. Richard, 2009. "Identifying predictors of attitudes towards local onshore wind development with reference to an English case study," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(11), pages 4604-4614, November.
    10. Aitken, Mhairi, 2010. "Why we still don't understand the social aspects of wind power: A critique of key assumptions within the literature," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 1834-1841, April.
    11. Masini, Andrea & Menichetti, Emanuela, 2013. "Investment decisions in the renewable energy sector: An analysis of non-financial drivers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 80(3), pages 510-524.

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