The Social Acceptance of Renewable Energies and Climate-Neutral Electricity Mixes in Bavaria

Abstract

Social acceptance presents a significant barrier to the development of renewable energy (RE) despite widespread support for the energy transition. While there is a substantial body of literature addressing the social acceptance of individual technologies, there is a notable gap in research that examines multiple RE technologies within a single study across various acceptance dimensions. Furthermore, there is limited investigation into preferences for future energy/electricity mixes. To address these gaps, this research aims at exploring socio-political, community, and market acceptance of key technologies crucial for achieving a climate-neutral electricity supply in Bavaria, while also investigating preferred future electricity mixes. This study applied a mixed-method research approach that combines desk research with quantitative and qualitative empirical data collection. The emphasis of the empirical research is a survey among the Bavarian public (n = 376) providing insights into public acceptance, while interviews (n = 5) offered assessments of stakeholder and political acceptance. The findings indicate that the recent energy crisis has shifted the primary motivation for the energy transition in Bavaria from climate protection to energy independence, while also increasing acceptance levels across all dimensions. Assessing the acceptance of individual technologies, roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems received the highest acceptance score, followed by hydropower, wind energy, bioenergy, and lastly, ground-mounted PV. Regarding future electricity mixes, the "Balanced Development" scenario, which features a balanced mix of several renewables alongside significant energy imports, received the highest acceptance. Other scenarios that emphasise the development of a single technology to achieve a high share of renewable electricity generation or that rely heavily on imports saw significantly fewer votes. This scenario is also viewed as the most advisable from a market stakeholder perspective. Political preferences emerged as the strongest influence on attitudes toward renewable energy technologies, perceived concerns associated with those technologies and future electricity mixes. Individuals aligned with right-leaning or conservative parties tend to be supportive of bioenergy and hydropower. In contrast, those identifying with environmentally oriented or socially left parties are more likely to accept solar PV and wind energy. These preferences also shape attitudes toward future electricity mixes, with the former group favouring scenarios with less solar and wind development, while those in the latter category prioritise scenarios with more extensive RE development. The most accepted forms of supplementary electricity supply to complement domestic renewables are future technologies and electricity imports.