The responsibility for carrying out the DECC opinion tracker on energy in the UK has transferred to BEIS, and the latest results confirm recent trends, with the popularity of renewable energy and nuclear on the increase, and the public support for fracking hitting its lowest-ever rating.
The opinion tracker enables the calculation of net support by subtracting the percent opposing a technology from those supporting it.
The renewable energy sector enjoys widespread popular support. Onshore wind obtains a net rating of +59%. Nuclear energy is far less popular, with a net support rating of just +16%, but fracking is a technology with very little public support, as evidenced by the net rating of -11%, the worst ever result for the technology.
Renewable energy continues to enjoy widespread public support, unlike nuclear and fracking.
Commenting on the latest figures, David Clubb said:
“I’m delighted to see that renewable energy continues to be viewed as the most popular way to generate electricity in the UK. It is popular, cost-effective, environmentally friendly and generates more jobs than other technologies.
“Renewable energy is a great success story for Wales and the wider UK, and the benefits to our economy, health and wellbeing are huge. The quicker we deploy all forms of renewables, the greater the benefits we will enjoy.”