Almost two thirds (64 per cent) of people in Wales support the development of wind power as part of a mix of renewable and conventional energy according to the findings of a YouGov poll that is published today.
The poll, commissioned by RenewableUK Cymru, also found that 64 per cent of Welsh people are generally in favour of large scale wind projects in their local council area, more than double the number (24 per cent) who said they would support shale gas and the 27 per cent in favour of nuclear. The highest support was for renewables such as solar and hydro power, with 82 per cent saying they would support these in their local area.
Renewables also scored highly as the choice of the main source for electricity generation. Just over a quarter (26 per cent) said they would like solar to provide the majority of their electricity, 23 per cent said hydro and 16 per cent said wind. Just four per cent said gas and three per cent said coal. Shale gas was favoured by just one per cent.
Two thirds of the people surveyed (66 per cent) said that the presence of a wind farm would not affect their decision to visit an area.
Commenting on the new poll results, Dr David Clubb, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said: “The poll reaffirms what we already know from our experience talking to people across Wales; the majority of people in Wales are in favour of wind energy, and they strongly support the deployment of all forms of renewable energy. This bodes well for a future of more sustainable livelihoods, greater community investment and a cleaner environment.
“As an industry, we need to continue to work together to demonstrate the huge benefits of renewable energy, to help further increase the consent rates.
“This research gives great context for the debate about wind energy in Wales, and should leave nobody in any doubt that the future of Wales is renewable.”