Public Perception and Acceptance of Floating Offshore Wind Energy in Sardinia

The deployment of offshore wind energy is a key strategy for achieving the European Union’s decarbonization goals. Sardinia, due to its geographical location and wind potential, has recently emerged as a site of interest for large-scale floating offshore wind projects. However, the success of such initiatives depends not only on technical and environmental feasibility but also on their social acceptability. This study investigates public perceptions of offshore wind development in Sardinia combining stakeholder and local resident surveys. The results reveal a complex landscape of opinions conditioned mainly by concerns about the visual impact on landscape, environmental risks, e.g. related to future turbine disposal and site restoration, lack of transparent information, and perceived exclusion from decision-making processes, seen as imposition rather than co-participation. Some communities see the projects as economic opportunities, while others express skepticism and resistance, especially in areas where tourism and fishing are locally important industries. The study highlights the need for early and meaningful community participation, better communication strategies, and context-sensitive planning to improve social acceptance.