M.Sc. Dissertation ASSESSMENT OF STAKEHOLDER PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS MALTA’S LAND-BASED WIND ENERGY PLANS Brian Restall A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the joint degree of Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Resource Management from the University of Malta (Malta) and James Madison University (Virginia, USA). Department of Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT), James Madison University Institute of Earth Systems (IES), University of Malta October 2010 Supervisor: Dr. Elisabeth Conrad Co-supervisor: Dr. Maria Papadakis Reader: Dr. Tonio Sant External examiner: Dr. Jennifer Coffman Page i Declaration of originality This is to certify that the work is entirely my own and not of any other person, unless explicitly acknowledged (including citation of published and unpublished sources). The work has not previously been submitted in any form to the University of Malta or James Madison University, or to any other institution for assessment for any other purpose. Signed Date 28th October 2010 Page ii Abstract This research paper sets out primarily to build on research literature about stakeholder perceptions (including levels of acceptance) of wind farm projects in Malta. It collects critical new information for Malta about the perspectives and considerations of stakeholders with different interests, and their relationship towards wind power policy making, planning and decision making in respect to the planned onshore wind farm at Wied Rini in Bahrija. This is expected to provide reliable benchmarking data and knowledge that can inform environmental decision-making and stakeholder involvement, while identifying possible ways to assist mediation and reduce conflict. Field research was conducted using Q methodology in order to systematically compare patterns in stakeholder views according to cultural types, and their energy/environmental priorities within spatial planning. Results indicate clearly that in most cases same issues are looked at significantly differently by the various stakeholders, with four major discourses standing out but indicating rather polar views. This implies that local concerns need to be heeded very carefully, whether they are deemed ‘legitimate’ or not. Due to the many uncertainties dominating the project, science alone is not sufficient to provide peace of mind and scientific arguments can often be used in stakeholder quibbling or lead to further controversy. Similarly any attempts to subdue objectors or manipulate community engagement to reach a forced approval of the project can be counterproductive, and will result in longer and more painful public confrontations. Public perception across most of the discourses are characterised by mistrust and constant doubts for the motives of politicians, and a lot of effort needs to be directed towards establishing a level of trust between the different stakeholders and local agencies. However one of the most important calls made by the prevalent discourses is towards expanding and improving community participation in the way the wind project plans are planned and authorized. Of course the implication is that this requires adequate information campaigns and possibly an institutional capacity re-think that empowers constructive public involvement in the burden sharing, with the understanding that this will lead to better decision making and less public opposition. Page iii Word Count Number of Pages: 207 Body Word Count: 24,217 (excl. table of contents and appendices) © Copyright notice Copyright in the text of this thesis rests with the Author. Copies by any process, either in full or part may be made only in accordance with the instructions given by the Author, and to lodge copies in the University of Malta and James Madison University libraries. Further copies may not be made without written permission of the Author. Research publications resulting from use of this paper should cite the author. Author: Brian Restall The author can be reached via email on [email protected] Page iv Acknowledgements I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Elisabeth Conrad, my supervisor at the Institute of Earth Systems (IES) of the University of Malta (UOM), for her support and thorough feedback throughout every stage of this thesis. Thanks are also due to Dr. Maria Papadakis and Dr. Jonathan Miles from the Department of Integrated Science and Technology at James Madison University (JMU), and Dr. Tonio Sant and Ing. Robert Farrugia at the Institute of Sustainable Energy for their help and suggestions. I would also like to show my appreciation to Dr. Liberato Camilleri from the Department of Statistics and Operations Research, and Dr. Mark Sacco from the Institute of Health Care, for their assistance to analyse the Q methodology results. My sincere thanks must also go to all the staff at the IEI and JMU, who during the past year have supported me and given me advice throughout the whole scholastic year. I am also grateful to several contributors and work colleagues for helping me during the various stages of my dissertation, and to my better half for putting up with me during the last year. My final word of thanks must go to all the stakeholder respondents who found time to provide me with their points of view, and all the authors cited. Page v Table of Contents CHAPTER 1........................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Wind Energy outlook across the European Union .............................................................................. 3 1.3 The policy context for wind energy in Malta ....................................................................................... 6 1.3.1 European Union Directive 2009/28/EC ....................................................................................... 7 1.3.2 National Renewable Action Plan .................................................................................................... 8 1.3.3 Draft energy policy for Malta and SEA .......................................................................................... 9 1.3.4 European Landscape Convention ................................................................................................ 11 1.4 Malta’s Wind Energy Plans and Study Area - Wied Rini, Bahrija ..................................................... 12 1.5 The need for Public Participation ....................................................................................................... 16 1.6 Research Problem ................................................................................................................................ 19 1.6.1 Research Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER 2...................................................................................................................................................... 21 LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................................... 21 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 21 2.2 Social Acceptance of wind energy ....................................................................................................... 21 2.2.1 Community acceptance and the NIMBY bias .............................................................................. 25 2.2.2 Community perspectives on fairness and trust .......................................................................... 27 2.2.3 Values towards wind energy ........................................................................................................ 28 2.3 Recurrent concerns with wind farms ................................................................................................. 30 2.3.1 Visual impact ................................................................................................................................. 30 2.3.2 Noise nuisance and health ............................................................................................................ 31 2.3.3 House prices .................................................................................................................................. 33 2.3.4 Electromagnetic interference....................................................................................................... 34 2.3.5 Effects on tourism ......................................................................................................................... 34 2.3.6 Flicker shadow and strobing effect ............................................................................................. 34 2.3.6 Bird collisions and displacement ................................................................................................. 35 2.3.7 Other underlying concerns ........................................................................................................... 36 2.4 Public perception studies on wind farms in Malta ............................................................................ 37 2.5.1 Special Eurobarometer Survey 262 ............................................................................................