Assessing Barriers to Renewable Energy Development in Alberta: Evidence from a Survey on Wind Energy with Rural Landowners
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Despite having abundant wind resources, the Province of Alberta is slow to adopt wind
energy. While recent provincial government initiatives have stimulated some new wind power
projects, progress is limited, and with new regulatory changes in recent months, progress on
renewable energy development may slow even further. What are the barriers to renewable energy
development in Alberta? This report offers some answers to this question based on survey results
from rural Albertan landowners (n = 401). The survey was implemented in early 2019 and offers
insight into the perspectives of rural landowners who are in a position to host energy
technologies on their properties. These technologies might include oil and gas wells but also
emerging technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels. Within the report we explore key
barriers to the adoption of wind energy infrastructure in Alberta. An energy market analysis and
literature review reveal few technical barriers, as there is sufficient capacity in the southern
region, where wind feasibility is highest. The published literature also points to economic
barriers related to price uncertainty, the competitiveness of other energy sources, and policy
instability. Looking more closely at social barriers, evidence from the survey indicates that
landowners are sharply divided in their support for the further development of wind farms in the
province. Many concerns stem from a lack of knowledge about wind infrastructure impacts, as
well as issues with the procedures for implementing wind development and the distribution of
benefits. Encouraging and facilitating future development of wind projects in Alberta will
require that proponents highlight the environmental and economic benefits of wind farms and
focus on providing benefits to local communities.
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http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_93fc
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en