Wind-farm acceptance for sale? An evaluation of the Danish wind-farm co-ownership scheme

The Danish Renewable Energy Act (REA) features financial incentive structures with direct local-level implications (Sperling et. al 2010; 5445). Specifically 4 REA policy measures aim for greater local engagement in and acceptance of wind-farm projects (Anker & Jørgensen, 2015: 24). Arguably the most influential of the four is the Danish wind-farm co-ownership scheme. This compulsory scheme demands that wind-farm developers offer ownership of at least 20 % of the wind-farms to local citizens via wind-farm shares. Through the analytical lens of Distributive Justice, DJ, in this study we scrutinize potential re-distributional and compensating effects of the co-ownership scheme via data from a large-scale survey (N=1983). Data is collected at potential near-shore wind-farm sites during the 2016 Danish near-shore bid for tender. Empirical evidence suggests that 1) most potential OPSS-investors already support proposed wind-farm projects. Many project opponents will not engage themselves in something they “are against in principle”. Consequently the overall mitigating effect of the scheme can be questioned. Furthermore: Data suggests that 2) demographic facts, such as gender and age, influence the general appeal of the scheme. More importantly: 3) OPSS is not equal for all: Those with fewer economic resources are subject to de-facto economic discrimination as OPSS presupposes investment liquidity. Finally, and most importantly, 4) potential monetary gain does not appear to justly compensate the core of what is actually feared lost by many project stakeholders. Thus, survey data underscores that economic re-distribution alone is not enough: Real world facts and complications, such as demographics, preconceived project perceptions and personal values, get in the way. In sum data suggest that the co-ownership scheme, in its current shape and form, at least, is not a tick the box exercise instantly compensating locally perceived burdens of wind-turbine proximity among wind-turbine host communities.