Public support for renewable energy sources remains strong in the UK, with more than three-quarters backing green power systems to generate the country’s electricity, according to new figures.
Support for renewable power sources dipped slightly from 79% in September last year to 76% this time, with solar and wind power receiving the most backing from the public.
The figures, from the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s quarterly survey, showed 66% of respondents were in favour of onshore wind energy, with 12% opposed to it, and 72% supported offshore wind developments against just 8%.
More than four in five respondents, 82%, backed solar power for generating the UK’s energy supply, against just 4% against it.
But the number of people turning to green energy sources for their own home remains low, with just 3% either getting or considering getting a biomass boiler, and 8% considering using solar energy at home.
Support for nuclear energy fell slightly, with 36% of the 2100 households questioned backing its use,
The figures were welcomed by green trade body the Renewable Energy Association.
“This is a timely reminder that renewables enjoy higher levels of public support than any other energy generation technology,” said chief executive Nina Skorupska.
“Renewables will not need subsidy forever. The more mature technologies, such as onshore wind and solar PV, will be able to compete without subsidy in years, not decades.”
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