The latest Public Attitudes Tracker, published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, shows that support for renewables remains consistently high at eight in every ten people.
81% of people support using renewable energy for electricity, fuel and heat, up from 78% in the previous survey four months earlier. Only 4% of people oppose renewables.
The percentage of people concerned about climate change remains high at 78%, which is in line with previous surveys.
Support also remains strong for specific types of renewables, at 73% for onshore wind, 78% for offshore wind, 80% for wave and tidal and 84% for solar.
70% of people agree that the renewable energy industry provides economic benefits to the UK, and 80% agree that it is important that renewable energy developments provide direct benefits to local communities.
RenewableUK’s Executive Director of Policy Ana Musat said, “It’s great to see that public support for renewables remains consistently high in every wave of this official survey. The latest polling shows that any political party that doesn’t support renewables is out of step with the overwhelming majority of public opinion.
“The survey also shows that there’s a high level of public awareness about the economic benefits that renewables bring to the UK. Our latest EnergyPulse report highlights the fact that the offshore wind industry has invested £100 billion in UK projects over the past 25 years and is set to invest another £100 billion over the next five years, and the number of jobs in offshore wind is set to more than double from 40,000 now to 95,000 by 2030. Our research shows that the parts of England and Wales set to see the fastest offshore wind jobs growth are also areas where Reform UK and the Conservatives are forecast to win 80% of seats at the next general election, exposing a growing gap between renewable-sceptic politicians and the local economic opportunities which our industry is creating”.
