The seascape as an actor in the public acceptance of offshore wind farms

Abstract

This study explores the role played by the seascape in the public acceptance of nearshore and offshore wind farms. The transposition of onshore wind farms to the sea has been defended as an alternative to mitigate resistance, assuming that, by locating them offshore, opposition would be halted. However, research indicates that this is a misconception, as offshore sites do not guarantee a problem-free solution for wind farms, and conflicts can persist even when wind parks are planned to be installed away from populated areas. The study discusses how the seascape can be perceived differently by various stakeholders and emphasises the importance of considering it as a key factor in the success of the planned exploration. The proposal of offshore wind parks along the coast of Portugal is used as a case study to analyse how it was received by different sectors of society. Findings reveal that stakeholders with strong ties to the seascape were not included in the decision-making process from the very start, which led to fierce opposition in areas where sea uses are deemed to be in conflict. It is therefore argued that the non-human agency of the seascape should not be ignored, since it can form relations. It is suggested that a comprehensive understanding of the seascape could help build better-informed decisions, as its environmental characteristics and functioning, and the social construct that is formed between different groups and the seascape, are capable of shaping the stakeholder group and influencing the social acceptance of an energy project.