Four In Five Scots Want More Renewable Energy

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A new survey from YouGov, ahead of the United Kingdom’s General Election to be held on the 7th of May, has found that 79% of Scottish adults want the UK government to implement policies which will help develop more renewable energy.

scotland flagThe survey, conducted between the 24th and 25th of February of 1,008 Scottish adults, found that almost four in five Scots want more renewable energy, with only 26% backing fracking for shale gas, 45% supporting nuclear power stations, and 49% in favor of building or extending coal- and gas-fired power stations.

“These poll results illustrate the strength of support for renewables among Scotland’s electorate. It is the only energy option that a majority of potential Scots voters say they would support,” said Jenny Hogan, Director of Policy at Scottish Renewables, who commissioned the survey.

“I believe this survey reflects the fact that most people in Scotland accept we must continue to change the way we power and heat our homes and businesses in order to tackle climate change.

“Renewable electricity generation in Scotland has doubled in recent years, and we hope that all the main political parties will continue to back the growth of our sector after May’s General Election – which certainly looks like the wish of potential Scottish voters.”

Furthermore, respondents were asked whether the next UK Government should continue to take forward policies that deal with greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, with almost two thirds agreeing with the statement, and only 14% disagreeing.

Ms Hogan, also highlighted the low levels of public support for many of the other energy sources likely to be built over coming years, saying: “Scottish Renewables has always campaigned for the development of renewable energy as part of a wider and balanced energy mix, but it is clear that there is limited support amongst the public for new gas, coal or nuclear power stations, and even less for the use of fracking to access onshore oil and gas reserves.”

The results of the survey come only a week or so after another survey by YouGov found that 71% of Scottish adults are in favor of continued development of wind power.

“These poll results highlight once again that not only do the vast majority of Scots support wind power, but the number who do is actually increasing,” said Joss Blamire, Senior Policy Manager at Scottish Renewables. “The wind energy sector is thriving in Scotland, providing jobs, investment and helping to tackle climate change — and these figures show it’s doing all of this with the Scottish public right behind it.”


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Joshua S Hill

I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

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