Geothermal Development Intentions of Local Governments and its Related Factors

Abstract

In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 103 municipalities with geothermal energy potential to find out the current status and intentions of geothermal development and the perceptions of benefits/risks of geothermal plants in the future. The purpose of this study was to identify development intentions and related factors. As a result, about 20% of the respondent municipalities showed a positive intention to develop geothermal energy. It was related to specific policies. In addition, the results of the analysis of the relationship between local government intentions and items related to benefits and risks show that "local independence”. This fact suggested that geothermal development with regional initiative would lead to the positive intentions of local governments.