A clear majority of the British public want to see more wind farms, according to a poll published by YouGov yesterday.

The survey of more than 1700 adults, commissioned by the Sunday Times newspaper, found that 69% want to see the current level of wind power increased or maintained, with 55% calling for more wind farms.

The only more popular energy source is solar power, which is supported by an enormous 72% of respondents.

By comparison, only 40% of respondents want to see more nuclear power and just 17% would like to see more gas- or coal-fired power stations. And only 32% support ‘fracking’ – or hydraulic fracturing – to extract shale gas in the UK.

“This is an unequivocal vote of confidence in renewable energy,” says Maf Smith, deputy chief executive of RenewableUK. “That support is consistently strong, in this and other independent polls.”

The poll also indicates growing disenchantment with fossil fuels and shale gas.

“The poll shows that investing in clean energy to safeguard our environment for the future has a significantly higher level of public support than paying more and more for non-renewables like gas and oil,” adds Smith.

Interestingly, the British public also seem to be realistic about the causes of energy price rises, with only 11% blaming government targets for reducing carbon emissions while 17% put it down to increased wholesale oil and gas prices.

The poll appears to tally with other recent surveys by ICM and the government itself.

For further information:
cdn.yougov.com/cumulus_uploads/document/ic8lcj9svf/YG-Archives-Pol-ST-results%20-%20121019.pdf

Related stories:
UK survey reveals strong public support for renewable (10-Jul)
UK politicians out of step with public over wind farms (20-Apr)

Article source: http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5477/