| dc.description.abstract | Abstract
In this thesis the connection between various forms of capital and the development of
wind energy was investigated. The thesis focused on two very similar areas who had two
different outcomes due to capital. The areas were Frøya, Norway and Nantucket, Massachusetts,
United States. In both of these coastal areas there has been a proposed wind farm which would
provide wind energy for their country and promote the development of wind energy. In the
Massachusetts, this project called Cape Wind, collapsed and was never built. In Frøya, the
project is currently being built with the first wind turbines being built recently. The connection
was explored by doing secondary research analysis on the literature of both areas and utilizing
relevant theories to understand how capital can be seen in the literature. In addition, a survey was
conducted for 164 participants to understand their feelings on varying topics regarding wind
energy, and an interview was conducted with a key informant in Norway to provide the
Norwegian respective.
The results of the thesis were that financial capital is very important in the development
of wind energy in both of these places, but in very different ways. In Nantucket, individual
political elitists had the ability to influence the development of wind energy through their
financial capital by influencing the media and social capital in the area. Comparatively to Frøya,
financial capital of individuals elites was less important, but the development of wind energy
was driven by an importance of financial capital for the greater good of the country. In addition,
the social and political capital was less important for the citizens of Frøya comparatively to the
Nantucket area. | |