UK Government MPs are “unaware” of both the popularity and low costs associated with onshore wind, according to a YouGov poll released by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) today.
According to the survey, only 8% of UK MPs are aware that onshore wind is the least expensive form of energy to add generating capacity.
The poll also found that 12% of MPs believe nuclear power to be the cheapest form of energy generation in the UK.
The ECIU claim that MPs consistently overestimate opposition to the technology – which currently sits a 2% – with 52% of Parliament members believing strong opposition to be over 20%.
Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: “It’s somewhat alarming to find that MPs don’t know the facts on onshore wind, particularly how popular it is with the public – seventy-five percent backing in the Government’s most recent survey, and rising.
“With just 2% of Britons expressing strong opposition, the myth that onshore wind is unpopular or divisive should now be put to bed once and for all.
“It’s a damaging myth, because investing in onshore wind is likely to reduce energy bills – so this is really something that MPs and anyone else who professes to care about energy bills should be getting their heads around.”
According to a recent survey conducted by YouGov for RenewableUK 66% would support a change in policy so that onshore wind farms can be built in areas where they have local backing.
Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: “People are telling us something really important – namely, that new onshore wind should no longer be ruled out of our energy mix for political reasons.
“With appropriate planning and democratic safeguards, the Government’s blanket ban can be revised and allow this cheap, clean and popular technology to move forward as it should.”
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