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Top1. Introduction
Nowadays, environmental problems are at the heart of the most important debates. These problems are discussed in reference to their reasons, consequences and solutions. Energy transition is one of the main solutions.
Environmental concern is considered as a significant interest for companies, government and communities. These actors are conscious about the energy situation but this consciousness is not always reflected in actions of acceptance.
LeGall (2002) argues that a number of studies have investigated the link between consumption and environment. Since the 70s, these studies stressed change in the individual’s behavior; this change is due to ethical, environmental and social reasons.
Generally, it is accepted that companies and government should establish the pillars of sustainable development. However, these are not the main actors; since consumers are also involved in sustainable development.
Yet, it is difficult to control consumers or influence their decision making process. In this context, consumers may encourage renewable energy and the use of green energy but do not accept the implementation of renewable energy projects in their communities.
Even though the renewable energy projects and particularly wind turbines are crucial for countries to realize their sustainable development objectives, wind projects face considerable opposition from local communities in which they are implemented (Wolsink, 2011).
The lack of community acceptance towards wind turbines has aroused an interest to study community acceptance of wind energy projects because the implementation of such projects, and decision making about these green facilities, involve not only engineering concerns, but also a complex mixture of economic, psychological, social and environmental factors.
Few studies either on the local or on the national level were based on theoretical frameworks from the disciplines of the social and psychological sciences. The acceptance phenomenon is mainly investigated based on perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes standpoints. Although there is a consensus among researchers that there is a syndrome, which is the «NIMBY», considered as a deficient conceptual basis from which the researchers explained the resistance to green energy projects (Wolsink, 2011) Devine Wright (2008) stated that the development of green facilities is deeply influenced by the community acceptance.
This phenomenon is characterized by a crucial importance for project developers and policy makers because it generates policies deflection and problems of delays which lead to costs.
This research paper deals with wind energy; and one of the main motivations behind the choice of such a topic is that the National Energy Conservation Action Plan focuses on the implementation of large-scale projects in order to reach the 30-30 goals ‒ 30% of electricity will have to be produced by renewable sources by 2030.
An attempt to show the importance of wind resources in Tunisia was presented by the ANME (National Agency for Energy Conservation) and the Spanish agency of cooperation and development that collaborated to make the Tunisian wind map. The Tunisian wind map reveals some interesting conditions when it comes to the areas in which it is possible to implement wind energy projects, areas where the wind speed is superior to 7m/sec at 60 m of height. These areas include Nabeul, Bizerte, Kasserine, Tataouine, Médenine, and Gabès.
This map allows stressing the significance and potential of this renewable source. Therefore, understanding the factors surrounding the wind turbines seems essential to promoting this type of projects and dealing with its barriers.
In the same vein, STEG (The national company of electricity and Gaz) has implemented two large wind farms on the coast. One in Cap Bon: Houaria (54 Mw) and the other in the region of Bizerte: two sites “Metline ElAlia” and “Jebel Kchabta” (190 Mw). The implementation in these areas reveals local challenges. Before 2011, some protests were observed in Bizerte due to the new wind energy project. New issues have emerged violently through demonstrations, blockades and even conflagration of two wind turbines in October 2012. These protests led to the halting of operations for six months (take over Mai 2013). It resulted in losses of 300,000 TND per day according to the STEG.