Examining the social acceptance of wind energy: practical guidelines for onshore wind project development in France

This study investigates methods for increasing the local social acceptance of onshore wind projects in France. It is based on input from semi-structured research interviews and insight from a French wind energy company. That company had noted that a lack of local social acceptance of wind projects increased the risk of failures, cost escalation, and project delays. In this study, we first summarize recent scholarship concerning local social opposition and acceptance of wind energy through a selected literature review and case studies of wind projects throughout Europe. We then use this data to create guidelines on how to increase the likelihood of social acceptance for onshore wind project development in France, and to inform current debates in the energy studies literature over the acceptance of wind energy and energy transitions.