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How do environmental values and attributes influence coastal community acceptance of tidal energy? Evidence from the Bristol Channel, UK

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Early consideration of potential societal issues, including public acceptance, is important for the effective implementation of energy policies and technologies. Conversely, lack of public acceptance can act as a barrier to their uptake, and deployment of renewable technologies has frequently been marked by public opposition at the local level. Levels of support for renewable energy are currently high, although expressions of public support do not always translate into approval for local developments, and there is significant variability in acceptance depending on a wide range of attributes. This paper provides novel insights into potential contributing factors to public acceptance of tidal energy amongst residents of coastal communities along a major inlet in the UK with high potential for tidal energy development. A qualitative photo-elicitation approach was undertaken with nineteen participants from three towns. Revealing their perceptions of tidal energy, participants made expressions of general positivity toward this technology, as well as recognising its significance for sustainable energy. A range of trade-offs between issues of personal importance and the wider significance of tidal energy also became apparent. Key influences on perception based on impacts of developments on self-identified environmental attributes of greatest importance were thematically analysed; for example, concerns regarding local environmental impacts and wildlife were revealed as key influencing issues on participant’s perceptions of tidal energy developments. This new qualitative data improves our understanding of the issues that can lead to acceptance or rejection of proposals and are thus of relevance to a range of users, including decision-makers, consultants and developers.

Source: Renewable energy focus

DOI: 10.1016/j.ref.2025.100748

Authors: Andrew Edwards-Jones, Caroline Hattam, Tara Hooper, Nicola J. Beaumont

Institutions: Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Met Office, Natural England

Language: English

Topic: Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,790