Social acceptance of ocean wave energy: A case study of an OWC shoreline plant

Social acceptance, along with technical, economic and legal aspects, is a prerequisite for the successful adoption of renewable energies. Research into the social acceptance of the underlying implementation of different renewable energy technologies, such as grid connected photovoltaic solar, biomass and wind power plants, is increasingly gaining interest. Nevertheless, studies that address the issue of the social acceptance of sea wave energy plants are very rare. This article aims at making a contribution towards filling this gap analyzing the community acceptance of the oscillating water column (OWC) shoreline plant of Mutriku, a facility that has been subject of great interest due to its innovative technical characteristics. This article's findings emphasize the importance of effective and meaningful social involvement in the successful promotion and diffusion of renewable energy infrastructures such as wave energy plants. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.