Making the Connection: Perceived Safety of Blue Energy

Whilst the ‘Making the Connection’ report did not include questions on electricity generation to any great extent, it is based on a 2014 report carried out by The Rural Policy Hub for Donegal Co Council.  The study population, whilst nationwide, was relatively small – 350 people.  Nonetheless, this report showed that the levels of perception of safety by the public of various sources of electricity.  Also included in the various sources was the infrastructure used i.e. overhead wires and pylons.  The graph below shows the responses to nuclear power and infrastructure.

As can be seen nuclear power is perceived as being extremely unsafe.  Whilst there is still a cohort who believe that pylons and wires are not safe, this result is pretty balanced by ‘extremely safe’ ‘very safe’ and ‘moderately safe’.  Although those who believe they are extremely unsafe is relatively high.

Respondents were asked if they would be willing to pay extra in their electricity bills to have underground cables instead of overhead wires and pylons.  And it is here that the external influences discussed at the outset of this chapter have most impact.

As has been stated, the public surveys were carried out over a period of almost six weeks.  Typically, consumer surveys, as much as possible, take place over a much shorter period of time to rule out externalities that could influence people’s responses. 

In surveys carried out at the start of the study in September 2014, over 65% of respondents stated their willingness to pay extra for underground cables.  However that attitude changed completely as a result of external factors at play. In this case a key role in influencing the change was Irish Water which was particularly topical during intense media coverage in October 2014. 

The final outcome of this willingness to pay question was almost 50:50.  Interestingly, women are more willing to pay than men.  This was analysed and a number of reasons for the contrast were arrived at.  The two main conclusions were as follows:

1. Women are more aware of the aesthetic nature of the landscape and would be willing to pay to preserve unimpeded views.
2. Women’s maternal instinct leads them to be more willing to pay for underground cables from a safety aspect.

When renewable electricity sources are examined, the report shows that Offshore wind are considered extremely, very and moderately safe.  Blue energy included tidal and wave energy, offshore wind and hydro/pumped storage.  Although on the last source, many of the respondents did not know what pumped storage is and this had to be explained with reference to Turlough Hill.

As has emerged from the study ‘Making the Connection’, awareness and information provision is a key concern to the public.  It is suggested here that with more information and more awareness of the overall picture of electricity sources, this would lead to an increased level of support for the development of renewable energy and associated infrastructure.

The Eco-Eye programme on RTE TV this week certainly showed how that awareness can be raised.

Our Making the Connection blog will continue next week.