Evaluation of the Factors Affecting Social Acceptance in Energy Investments

• Main Authors: Ali EKŞİ, İsmail Cem KANTARLI, Fulya Atalay YALÇIN, Gülce KİRAZLI
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Strategic Public Management Journal 2019-12-01
• Series: Strategic Public Management Journal
• Subjects: social acceptance; environmental management; energy investments; participation
• Online Access: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/903156
• ISSN: 2149-9543; 2149-9543

In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the factors affecting the social acceptance of energy investments. İzmir Bornova district center was determined as the universe and the individuals aged 18 years and over were covered in the study. The sample consisted of 236 individuals determined by simple random sampling method. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 statistical program, the frequency distribution and percentages were used in data analysis, chi-square test was used to determine the difference between the variables. Social acceptance for renewable energy investments is higher than that for conventional energy production investments. It is noteworthy that the lowest social acceptance rate was for nuclear energy investments and social acceptance of geothermal investments was particularly low. The distance to the living area of the investment and negative effects on the natural environment, human health and agriculture areas were found to be decisive factors in social acceptance. Social acceptance in energy investments should not be regarded as an obstructive or retarding factor for investment, but on the contrary should be regarded as a factor to be considered as important factor in providing public benefit in energy investments. Facilitation of the participation mechanisms and provision of effective information by the public administration contributes to increase of social acceptance.