The development of Renewable Energies (RE) must be stepped up in the coming years if we are to successfully realise the ambitious energy transition challenge set by many governments across the globe. However, the energy transition is far from obvious, especially with regard to the social acceptability of RE. In this context, we used a Discrete Choice Experiment combined with a Geographical Information System to assess the willingness of individuals to switch to a more virtuous energy mix based on three energy sources (wind, photovoltaic and biogas). Our results show a dominant generational effect, indicating that young people are more likely to accept renewable energy in their neighborhoods. Furthermore, residents in areas with renewable energy with negative externalities (wind turbines and anaerobic digestion units) tend to have a lower Willingness to Pay than residents in other areas, which is what we call the principle of territorial distributive justice. There is no reason to believe that the difficulties in finding new locations for RE installations could fade away. Therefore, an increased effort of public policies to plan the location of future RE facilities in a more equitable way and always a better explanation and co-construction of new RE projects are needed. 

We measured the social acceptability of biogas units by estimating the effect of their location on real estate prices. This study was conducted in France between 2014 and 2021 and included a sample of more than 110,000 real estate transactions near 620 new biogas units. The methodology of difference-in-differences models enabled us to limit the bias of the results for units installed over several periods, while allowing us to conduct an event study. The results showed negative effects of rural biogas units on house prices within one kilometer; we found no effect beyond this distance. Our results suggest that only units located in rural areas have an effect on nearby sales and that this effect is moderate (around -5%). 

In recent years, biogas units have become an important component of the energy transition, capable of converting waste and biomass into biogas. However, location is influenced by the efficiency and profitability of these biogas units. Previous research has focused on the economic, social, political, and environmental criteria for the siting of biogas units. Furthermore, studies have shown a tendency for co-location of eco-innovations, primarily due to the proximity of resources and the exchange of technical knowledge among neighbouring units (mimicry effects). However, this proximity can also lead to increased competition for local resources, potentially undermining the collective efficiency of the installations. This article aims to understand this paradox by exploring how the geographical proximity between units influences the siting of biogas units in the Brittany and Normandy regions. Using a Spatial Durbin model, we have examined the interactions between units and how these dynamics influence the factors affecting the probability of unit installation. Our results show that there are clusters of biogas units extending over approximately 17 kilometres. However, these effects are spatially limited: when the units are too close, competition for resources limits their installations, while when they are too far apart, the effect disappears.

La méthanisation est de plus en plus perçue comme une solution clé pour atteindre les objectifs de transition énergétique, mais son acceptabilité sociale constitue un défi majeur. À partir d’une enquête menée auprès de 500 individus dans plusieurs communes françaises, cette étude analyse les facteurs influençant les attitudes du public à l’égard des projets de méthanisation. Les résultats montrent que les perceptions des bénéfices territoriaux, la taille des unités, la proximité géographique et la transparence des processus décisionnels jouent un rôle déterminant dans l’acceptabilité. L’opposition est particulièrement marquée chez les riverains vivant à moins d’un kilomètre des installations, tandis que la participation aux débats publics tend paradoxalement à renforcer les opinions négatives. Ces résultats soulignent l’importance d’adopter des politiques publiques et des stratégies adaptées, favorisant une meilleure communication et une implication citoyenne accrue pour intégrer durablement les projets de méthanisation dans les territoires.