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UPEI's Tourism Research Centre releases study on wind energy
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Throughout August, the Tourism Research Centre (TRC) at the School of Business of the University of PEI surveyed both Island residents and visitors on their perceptions of wind energy production, wind farms, and their roles on PEI. Between an online and paper-based survey, 363 Islanders and 1,313 visitors offered their views on wind energy.
“The inspiration for this research came forth after dialogue with Tourism PEI on how wind farms could be both an opportunity and a threat to PEI tourism,” stated Dr. Sean Hennessey, Faculty Director of the TRC. “Do our visitors consider wind turbines to be an eyesore that ruin our landscape, or do they welcome the sight of these green energy producers? Is it possible that wind farms can be a tourist attraction?” After the initial discussion, the TRC designed a survey for both visitors and Island residents.
Attitudes towards wind farms on PEI are quite consistent among visitors and Islanders. Consider that at least 82 per cent of visitors and 75 per cent of residents either agreed or strongly agreed that “There should be more wind farms on PEI,” “The PEI provincial government should encourage the development of wind farms by providing permits to developers,” “Wind farms put PEI on the forefront of the green energy movement”, and “The PEI provincial government should financially support the development of wind farms.”
In addition, while only 44 per cent of both residents and visitors either agreed or strongly agreed that a wind farm adds to the attractiveness of the area in which it is based, about 81 per cent of both residents and visitors either disagreed or strongly disagreed that wind farms are a poor use of PEI’s land base. Finally, 71 per cent of Island respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that wind farms are an attraction for visitors to PEI.
Overall, the results show support from both groups for the production of wind energy on PEI. Islanders wanted to see, on average, 68.5 per cent of their energy generated via wind turbines. Visitors were slightly more supportive at 72 per cent. In addition, many respondents are willing to make an indirect financial investment in renewable energy sources by paying more for electricity generated in this manner. When asked what words came to mind when thinking about wind turbines as a means to generate electricity, many respondents used positive words such as “clean,” “renewable,” “unlimited,” “safe” and “environmentally friendly.”
The survey also asked respondents if they thought the phrase “Canada’s Green Province”, as seen on the newest licence plates on PEI, is accurate. There was some disagreement, with over 83 per cent of visitors feeling that this statement was either accurate or very accurate, while only 30 per cent of Islanders felt the same way. In addition, 37 per cent of residents felt this statement is not accurate or not at all accurate.
In conclusion, there appears to be strong support for further development of wind energy production on PEI. Based on this research, it appears that wind farms “fit” with “The Gentle Island” brand for visitors, and support the attempt to label PEI as a “Green Province,” at least among visitors. However, there are local concerns regarding noise, health effects, land use and changes to bird migration which should be addressed.
The full report can be found on the TRC’s website at www.trc.upei.ca. More information about the report can be obtained from the Tourism Research Centre, School of Business, University of PEI, at (902) 566-6096 or trc@upei.ca.
“The inspiration for this research came forth after dialogue with Tourism PEI on how wind farms could be both an opportunity and a threat to PEI tourism,” stated Dr. Sean Hennessey, Faculty Director of the TRC. “Do our visitors consider wind turbines to be an eyesore that ruin our landscape, or do they welcome the sight of these green energy producers? Is it possible that wind farms can be a tourist attraction?” After the initial discussion, the TRC designed a survey for both visitors and Island residents.
Attitudes towards wind farms on PEI are quite consistent among visitors and Islanders. Consider that at least 82 per cent of visitors and 75 per cent of residents either agreed or strongly agreed that “There should be more wind farms on PEI,” “The PEI provincial government should encourage the development of wind farms by providing permits to developers,” “Wind farms put PEI on the forefront of the green energy movement”, and “The PEI provincial government should financially support the development of wind farms.”
In addition, while only 44 per cent of both residents and visitors either agreed or strongly agreed that a wind farm adds to the attractiveness of the area in which it is based, about 81 per cent of both residents and visitors either disagreed or strongly disagreed that wind farms are a poor use of PEI’s land base. Finally, 71 per cent of Island respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that wind farms are an attraction for visitors to PEI.
Overall, the results show support from both groups for the production of wind energy on PEI. Islanders wanted to see, on average, 68.5 per cent of their energy generated via wind turbines. Visitors were slightly more supportive at 72 per cent. In addition, many respondents are willing to make an indirect financial investment in renewable energy sources by paying more for electricity generated in this manner. When asked what words came to mind when thinking about wind turbines as a means to generate electricity, many respondents used positive words such as “clean,” “renewable,” “unlimited,” “safe” and “environmentally friendly.”
The survey also asked respondents if they thought the phrase “Canada’s Green Province”, as seen on the newest licence plates on PEI, is accurate. There was some disagreement, with over 83 per cent of visitors feeling that this statement was either accurate or very accurate, while only 30 per cent of Islanders felt the same way. In addition, 37 per cent of residents felt this statement is not accurate or not at all accurate.
In conclusion, there appears to be strong support for further development of wind energy production on PEI. Based on this research, it appears that wind farms “fit” with “The Gentle Island” brand for visitors, and support the attempt to label PEI as a “Green Province,” at least among visitors. However, there are local concerns regarding noise, health effects, land use and changes to bird migration which should be addressed.
The full report can be found on the TRC’s website at www.trc.upei.ca. More information about the report can be obtained from the Tourism Research Centre, School of Business, University of PEI, at (902) 566-6096 or trc@upei.ca.
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