Our ideas on many issues are influenced by public opinion. But do we have an accurate, up-to-date idea what that opinion actually is?
Renewable energy generation is an area where change is happening, fast . And so is public opinion. So it's no surprise that the UK government is keen to have a clear and current idea of what people think about this important issue. Every year, they commission a survey to check, The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Public Attitudes Tracker . Its results might surprise you.
What the survey said Click on any of the survey results below to explore the in-depth data behind it.
The overall view There's much more support for cleaner, more sustainable energy than you might expect. In fact ten times as many people support the use of renewable energy for providing our electricity, fuel and heat as oppose it.
Ten times as many people support the use of renewable energy for providing our electricity, fuel and heat as oppose it.
- Department of Energy Security Public Attitudes Survey
Different energy sources Support varies a bit for different types of renewable energy generation . But public opinion is still substantially in favour of all of the most common technologies.
86% support solar81% support offshore wind power (wind turbines at sea)73% support onshore wind power (wind turbines on land)69% support biomass (burning crop or food waste and other materials to produce power)81% support wave and tidal power generationAround 55% of people in South West England say they 'strongly support' power generation through the action of waves and tidal forces - the highest figure in the UK.
- Department of Energy Security Public Attitudes Survey
Energy in your backyard You might expect that a lot of people like the idea of renewable energy, but aren't as keen to see wind turbines or solar panels in and around their own neighbourhood. In fact, support for local power generation is really high.
Around twice as many people would welcome an onshore wind farm in their local area, as those who would oppose it. Over three times as many people would welcome a solar farm in their local area, as those who would oppose it. Taking a local view As well as welcoming the prospect of new local energy generation, people recognise the potential of these projects to bring energy security, cut bills, and for profits to deliver support, and employment back to the local area. 80% of people agreed that renewable energy developments should provide direct benefit to communities where they are located.
Why there's so much support for renewable energy Although there's a little variation between responses for different, types of renewable energy generation, and the ages and locations of repondents, the survey showed fairly clear patterns in the reasons people gave for supporting renewable energy .
Around 75% want more sustainable fuel sources Approximately 70% are concerned about the environmental impact of fossil fuels Nearly 50% want to be less dependent on foreign fuel supplies Almost 40% feel that renewable energy will be cheaper to produce and for consumers to buy Around 30% think that local renewable generation will bring local economic benefits Almost half of the people who support renewable energy say it's because they're concerned about fuel security and price control while relying on foreign gas and oil.
- Department of Energy Security Public Attitudes Survey
Explore in more detail Find out more about the survey questions, and a breakdown of the results by age, region and other factors.
Read the DESNZ survey results on the GOV.UK website
