What makes local energy projects acceptable? Probing the connection between ownership structures and community acceptance

Community ownership of wind energy has been found to increase acceptance, but the reasons for this are poorly understood. Here, we compare different communities’ attitudes towards local onshore projects in order gain a deeper understanding characteristics which conducive community acceptance. Using postal survey Scotland ( n = 318), compared three communities with varying degrees regarding their (1) support project; (2) perceptions justice; (3) perceived impacts; and (4) benefit preferences. One-way ANOVAs Potential Conflict Index 2 identified that residents two degree were more associated greater processes, outcomes (i.e. just inclusive development processes fairly distributed benefits impacts), than living near privately-owned development. Additionally, provide evidence co-operative can achieve similar acceptance justice as fully community-owned project. Overall, results indicate policymakers should take seriously connection between tenets models policy planning efforts. • Attitudes toward across varied schemes. Understanding Acceptance is likely interwoven justice. Different attained levels Ownership concerns be prioritised