  Local opposition to the installation of renewable energy sources is a
potential threat to the energy transition. Local communities tend to oppose the
construction of energy plants due to the associated negative externalities (the
so-called 'not in my backyard' or NIMBY phenomenon) according to widespread
belief, mostly based on anecdotal evidence. Using administrative data on wind
turbine installation and electoral outcomes across municipalities located in
the South of Italy during 2000-19, we estimate the impact of wind turbines'
installation on incumbent regional governments' electoral support during the
next elections. Our main findings, derived by a wind-speed based instrumental
variable strategy, point in the direction of a mild and not statistically
significant electoral backlash for right-wing regional administrations and of a
strong and statistically significant positive reinforcement for left-wing
regional administrations. Based on our analysis, the hypothesis of an electoral
effect of NIMBY type of behavior in connection with the development of wind
turbines appears not to be supported by the data.
