Public preferences for wind, fracking and nuclear energy in England and Scotland : a choice experiment approach

Abstract

This study assesses public preferences for alternative electricity generation technologies in England and Scotland, in the context of the global challenge of climate change and the current policy debate in the UK. Specifically, the study aims to provide an insight into the factors that could potentially influence the acceptability of four energy sources (onshore wind, offshore wind, fracking and nuclear energy). The preference heterogeneity is then examined with regard to observable and unobservable factors (socio-demographic and place of residence characteristics, and environmental attitudes). The choice experiment method is employed in this research to elicit preferences for future energy policy targeting environmental and climate change conditions. Through an online survey, data are collected and completed by 986 respondents residing in England and Scotland. Three choice modelling techniques are used for analysis: multinomial and mixed logit models; latent class model; and hybrid mixed model. The results show a significantly positive willingness to pay for both onshore and offshore wind energy technologies and a significantly negative willingness to pay for fracking and nuclear energy. These general results are however heterogeneous and depend to a certain extent on socio­demographic characteristics, especially age, education, income and environmental organisation membership. Furthermore, environmental attitudes (considered as three dimensions: cognitive, affective and behavioural) toward the environment and climate change emerge as significant predictors of energy sources preferences. The results also show that English and Scottish public preferences need not be considered separately, as most of the differences between them are not statistically significant. Overall, the findings of this research are useful for designing optimal future energy and climate change policies, as well as raising the public acceptability for the development of alternative energy projects in England and Scotland.