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Publication - Research and analysis

Offshore wind farm developments - public perceptions: survey

Published
29 June 2022
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Part of
Energy, Environment and climate change, Marine and fisheries
ISBN
9781804355817

Findings from a survey exploring public perceptions of offshore wind farm (OWF) developments in Scotland. It describes whether and how respondents in Scotland have been impacted by OWFs, their attitudes to OWFs, and how OWFS affect their tourism and recreation choices.

This document is part of a collection

View supporting documents Supporting documents

6 Recreation and tourism

6.1 Visiting the coast

The vast majority of all respondents, whether national or coastal, have not avoided visiting an area due to the presence of offshore wind turbines visible from the shore, while just 4% of respondents have done so (Figure 6.1).

Figure 6.1 In planning a visit to a coastal area in Scotland, have you ever deliberately avoided visiting an area because there are offshore wind turbines visible from the shore?

is a stacked bar chart showing how respondents answered the question “In planning a visit to a coastal area in Scotland, have you ever deliberately avoided visiting an area because there are offshore wind turbines visible from the shore?”. The figure shows a bar for coastal respondents and a bar for national respondents. Respondents could respond ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘don’t know’ and ‘not applicable’. There were 1000 national respondents and 1065 coastal respondents.

Base: Scottish Residents (National n= 1,000, Coastal n= 1,065)

There was a very small differentiation in this overall positive finding, where men are more likely to say that they will avoid an area due to the presence of offshore wind farms than women (8% versus 3%). There were no other significant sub-group differences.

Visiting Scotland's coastline is an activity frequently undertaken by respondents, with 85% either living by the coast or visiting at least 2-5 times per year (Figure 6.2). Only 13% visit less often than that and just 1% reported having never visited the coast.

Figure 6.2 Approximately how often do you visit the coast in a typical year?

is a bar chart showing how respondents answered the question “Approximately how often do you visit the coast in a typical year?”. Respondents were given 10 options to choose from ranging from ‘I live by the coast’, ‘daily’ and ‘I have never visited the coast. These are presented on the left hand side. Scottish residents (coastal and non-coastal) were asked this question.

Base: Scottish Residents (National n= 1,000)

National sample respondents who reported visiting the coast take part in a range of activities while there (Figure 6.3). The most popular activities combine different types of physical exercises, specifically walking/hiking/running (undertaken by 64%) and dog walking (35%).

Figure 6.3 Which, if any, of the following leisure activities have you done at the Scottish coast or sea in the last year?

is a bar chart showing how respondents answered the question “Which, if any, of the following leisure activities have you done at the Scottish coast or sea in the last year?”. Respondents were given 16 options to choose from, including ‘walking/hiking/running’, ‘swimming’, ‘photography’ and ‘none’. These are presented on the left hand side. Scottish residents (coastal and non-coastal) were asked this question.

Base: Scottish Residents (National n= 1,000)

Additional analysis illustrates that approval for offshore wind farms remains high regardless of the activity undertaken by those who visit Scotland's coast. For example, 86% of those who visited the coast to eat seafood, or take part in beach games, picnics or BBQs also approve of offshore wind farms. Although the approval ratio falls a little with other activities, it remains above three quarters for all activities undertaken. The full breakdown is shown in Figure 6.4.

Figure 6.4 Approval of offshore wind farms, by coastal activity

is a bar chart looking at how the level of approval for offshore windfarms varies depending on the main activity respondents engaged in when visiting the coast. Twelve of the 16 activities presented in figure 6.3 are presented in this figure, with the proportion of respondents who engaged in this activity and strongly approved or approved of offshore windfarms shown for each one. Scottish residents (coastal and non-coastal) were asked this question.

Base: Scottish Residents (National n= 1,000)

6.2 Tourism

In line with survey findings about the impact of offshore wind farms on taking trips, the vast majority of respondents do not avoid having a holiday in Scotland because of visible wind turbines (Figure 6.5). Four out of five national respondents (80%) say being able to view turbines from an offshore wind farm while on holiday in Scotland would make no difference to their choice of holiday, while 4% would be more likely to choose the holiday if they could see turbines. Around one in ten (11%) of national respondents would be less likely to choose the holiday because they could see turbines from an offshore wind farm.

Figure 6.5 Thinking about having a holiday in Scotland, which of the following statements comes closest to your view?

is a stacked bar chart showing how respondents answered the question “Thinking about having a holiday in Scotland, which of the following statements comes closest to your view?”. Respondents were given three options ‘If I could see turbines from an offshore windfarm while on holiday, I would be more likely to choose the holiday’, ‘If I could see turbines from an offshore windfarm while on holiday, I would be less likely to choose the holiday’, and ‘If I could see turbines from an offshore windfarm while on holiday, it would make no difference to my choice of holiday’. Responses from national and coastal respondents are presented for comparison. There were 1000 national respondents and 1065 coastal respondents.

Base: Scottish Residents (National n= 1,000, Coastal n= 1,065)

Sub-group analysis reveals that women are more likely than men to say that a visible turbine would make no difference to their holiday plans (83% versus 75%). A similar pattern emerges with age; 84% of those aged under 44 say visible wind turbines would make no difference, compared to 75% of those aged 65 and over.

Those who would be more likely to choose the holiday if they could see offshore wind farm turbines are most likely to be from urban areas (7% from Large Urban Areas vs 1% from Remote Rural Areas).

Contact

Email: ScotMER@gov.scot

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