Changing mindsets towards renewable energy landscapes in Switzerland: Comparing stated preferences in 2018 and 2022

Abstract

Renewable energy transitions depend not only on technology, but also on the acceptance of the respective infrastructure placements in different landscapes. These issues are globally relevant, as many countries face tensions between renewable energy infrastructure (REI) expansion and the cultural meanings attached to affected landscapes. This study examines how the general Swiss public evaluates REI in different landscape types in Switzerland, and how the evaluations evolved over time, in particular with respect to ecological and geopolitical disruptions of recent times. To this end, we compared two nationally representative surveys from 2018 (n = 1062) and 2022 (n = 1220). Results show a persistent rejection of REI in high-elevation mountainous regions—such as the largely pristine Alps—over time and despite the disruptions. In contrast, tourism-oriented alpine regions with already existing infrastructure have become more acceptable hosts of REI, reflecting a preference for siting them in already transformed areas. Support for photovoltaic (PV) has broadened: medium-scale PV (rooftop and small ground-mounted) remains most preferred, but acceptance of large PV clusters has risen from 2018 to 2022 and they are increasingly seen as a symbol of sustainability. Wind energy remains least favored, largely due to its vertical dominance and contested siting. These findings show how public mindsets shift selectively rather than uniformly, filling a gap in knowledge on how energy crises interact with landscape-technology fit. Effective planning must therefore align REI not only with techno-economic criteria, but also with how people relate to landscapes that are considered as potential hosts of REI.