Introduction of Renewable Energy in the Spanish Wine Sector

• Main Authors: Nieves Garcia-Casarejos, Pilar Gargallo, Javier Carroquino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-09-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: renewable energy; sustainability; wine sector; viticulture; wineries; survey; CO2 emissions; cluster analysis
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/9/3157

The wine sector is very sensitive to the effects of climate change. Despite this, there is little use of renewable energy in the wine sector. In fact, the adoption of mitigation measures by companies depends on their own attitudes and interests. The objective of this work was to understand the use and disposition of Spanish wineries to incorporate renewable energy. In addition, subjective obstacles to and motivations for adoption could be identified. First, a survey was conducted on the Spanish wine sector. Second, the multivariate statistical technique of factor analysis was applied. Third, a set of indicators to describe the determinant factors that influence a winery’s decision to adopt renewable energy was obtained. Finally, a cluster analysis provided three different profiles. The first group comprised wineries that did not trust on the maturity of renewable energy. The second one comprised wineries that were not convinced about introducing renewable energy, either for environmental or reputational reasons. The third group comprised wineries convinced of the benefits of incorporating renewable energy. This work was done as a part of the European project: Renewable Energy in the Wine Industry (LIFE REWIND).