Social Assessment - Wind Energy
Conducting social assessments have the purpose to evaluate and observe potential impacts of wind energy projects. Besides producing energy and providing for positive economic, social and environmental developments, in particular the windmills can cause un-wanted effects too. Possibly these are related to
- noise pollution
- visual disturbances
- well-being and comfort
- socio-economic valuation of land/property.
Mentioned negative impacts bear subjective connotations. For instance, the noise pollution might not all be assessed disturbing from a technical point of view; i.e. below noise emission values. However, inhabitants may consider it noisy nevertheless from the subjective point of view.
To circumvent or mitigate any negative effects, it is advisable to conduct ex-ante social (impact) assessments as well as to make the social and cultural aspects a continous observation are in monitoring.
Aspects of social assessments
Identification of target group / concerned persons
Cultural, socio-economic aspects
Social aspects of windparks - example Colombia
http://www.gtz.de/de/dokumente/de-windenergie-kolumbien-bruder-wind-2003.pdf
Tourism impacts
