News

New poll reinforces public support for renewables

generic
A poll by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on UK energy policy has found that 64 per cent of the public is concerned about possible blackouts, and that 93 per cent are worried about higher electricity and gas bills.

The poll of over 2,000 members of the public also found that 51 per cent of people think the government should support the construction of more renewable energy sources like solar, wave and tidal power.

Significantly, the survey revealed that 33% of people would consider personally investing in small-scale community renewable projects like wind farms, solar farms or small-scale biomass plants. Of the people surveyed, 25% said they would consider investing in Energy Bonds where money would be used to build large energy infrastructure projects like nuclear power stations or large offshore wind farms.

Dr Tim Fox, head of energy and environment at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said: “These results show there is a severe lack of public confidence in the government’s confused energy policy.

“There are clear concerns that there is an insufficient amount of investment in new energy infrastructure and that the UK faces a future of high energy prices for consumers and possible blackouts.

“Confidence in government energy policy has been damaged by its mixed messages on low-carbon energy policy and uncertainty over its support for a new nuclear build programme.

“Government must stop playing politics with our energy system and the environment and make clear exactly how it is going to ensure that the country’s future needs are affordably met. It is only with this clarity that energy companies will have the confidence to invest in the infrastructure needed to keep the nation warm, lit, moving and working.”