Survey about society´s opinions on wind energy

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Do wind turbines disturb our peaceful nature? Wpd Finland Ltd and Motiva Ltd have done a survey in 2010 about society´s opinions on wind energy. In total 1700 residents‘ opinions were analyzed.

The same questions were sent to two groups;
1. To residents in three areas where wind power was establishing in an early stage
2. To residents in two areas where wind parks were already built.

The survey showed a healthy skepticism towards establishing wind parks in people´s own neighborhood. People were mostly worried if wind turbines would disturb the landscape and also if the sound of them would be disturbing. Another fear was if building them would affect the nature and in particular, if it would affect birds. Despite these fears, most residents were positively set to establishing wind energy.

This short summary only shows some of the statements and answers from the survey. If you want to read more about the survey and also about some facts in these topics, you can find it here: http://www.tuulivoimaopas.fi/files/28/tuulen_voimalla_suomessa.pdf

The survey had different statements, with answers to them from 1-5:

  1. Completely disagree
  2. Somewhat disagree
  3. I can´t say
  4. Somewhat agree
  5. Completely agree.

 

djurThe brown staple shows group 1 (before wind park) and
the green shows group 2 (after wind park)

The statement to the left: “Wind turbines are causing damage for animals”.

This question had a much higher rating than other questions on number 3,
(I can´t say),
which indicates that the residents lacks information about this topic.

 

 

 

 

lightsBrown staple  before wind park,  green staple after wind park

The statement to the left: “Blinking air craft warning lights from wind turbines are disturbing”.

1. Completely disagree
2. Somewhat disagree
3. I can´t say
4. Somewhat agree
5. Completely agree.

 

 

landskapBrown staple  before wind park,  green staple after wind park

The statement to the left: “Wind turbines do not disturb the landscape”.

1. Completely disagree
2. Somewhat disagree
3. I can´t say
4. Somewhat agree
5. Completely agree.

 

 

 

infoBrown staple  before wind park,  green staple after wind park

The statement to the left: “I did get enough information about the wind park establishing in beforehand”.

1. Completely disagree
2. Somewhat disagree
3. I can´t say
4. Somewhat agree
5. Completely agree.

 

 

valmBrown staple  before wind park,  green staple after wind park

The statement to the left: “The residents´ well-being have weakened while the wind park is being built”.

1. Completely disagree
2. Somewhat disagree
3. I can´t say
4. Somewhat agree
5. Completely agree.

 

 

noiseBrown staple  before wind park,  green staple after wind park

The statement to the left: “Wind turbines are causing a high noise”.

1. Completely disagree
2. Somewhat disagree
3. I can´t say
4. Somewhat agree
5. Completely agree.

 

 

In the surveys´ results, not much difference was shown between women´s and men´s opinions. Even if the survey was done at different areas, the opinions in the areas were also surprisingly similar. It is very common when a wind park is planned in a new area, that the resistance towards it is high. The survey showed that even in these areas, a majority of the residents were positive to wind energy. The survey also showed that the society needs more information about wind energy and how building it affects us and our surroundings.

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