Public acceptance of alternative hydropower solutions

Interviews with citizens were conducted in the case study towns Vila Real (Portugal), Toulouse (France), Landshut (Germany) and Örnsköldsvik (Sweden). These towns represent regions with very different geographical characteristics that pose particular challenges for operators seeking to modernise and develop hydropower. The canonical correspondence analysis revealed that the country where the interview took place was the most important variable to explain differences in respondent’s agreement to the 25 statements used for the interview. Age also influenced the views on hydropower, whereas the remaining explanatory variables were less important in the analysis. The results show that a number of similar opinion patterns exist in each case study region. Overall, the study results indicate that hydropower production is not a highly contested topic for the local residents of the four case study regions. However, within the perspectives that were identified, conflicting views exist on a number of issues, namely ecological effects, ownership questions and changes in electricity prices. These points of conflict may drive public debates on hydropower and influence public acceptance. Therefore, it is useful for hydropower operators and planners as well as for politicians to be aware of these issues and consider them in their decisions.     «

Interviews with citizens were conducted in the case study towns Vila Real (Portugal), Toulouse (France), Landshut (Germany) and Örnsköldsvik (Sweden). These towns represent regions with very different geographical characteristics that pose particular challenges for operators seeking to modernise and develop hydropower. The canonical correspondence analysis revealed that the country where the interview took place was the most important variable to explain differences in respondent’s agreement to...     »