“NIMBYism in retreat” reveals new wind farm research

Public support reaches new peak, with 70% welcoming further renewable energy development across the country to meet national net zero targets

One of the UK’s longest standing renewable energy developers, Fred. Olsen Renewables has today (Monday, 20th September) released opinion polling evidence demonstrating the high level of support that exists in the population for accelerated progress on wind power to meet national clean energy targets.

Released at Labour Party conference in Liverpool, the research has confirmed that:

• Two-thirds of people believe it is important that we meet our targets to be net zero by 2050 (2045 in Scotland)
• Support for onshore windfarms outstrips opposition to them by 69% to 8%
• Support for wind farms in local areas is supported by 65% to 11%
• Support for reducing electricity bills should be the main priority for community benefit funding arising out of new renewables developments

However, the polling work also identifies that the Government and industry have significant work to do to convince the public of the economic growth impact that accelerated renewables investment will have, with only 34% identifying growth as a benefit.

The polling evidence is seen as a significant boost to hopes for a new generation of renewables development across England, given that the Labour government has lifted the previous ban on onshore wind. However, all across the UK, the news that people back onshore wind strongly, even when located in their local area, will be a major boost to the industry.

The research, commissioned by Diffley Partnership, collated the views of a representative sample of 1,012 people across the UK during late July, days after the general election. It identified that over half of those who voted for every political party in the General Election, other than Reform UK, believe it is important to meet national climate targets.

Finley Becks-Phelps, UK Development Director at Fred. Olsen Renewables, said:

“This research is massively significant - it shows Nimbyism in retreat across the UK as far as clean power developments are concerned. People support wind power developments, and are hugely supportive even when proposed in their local area.

“We all have to play a part in decarbonising our electricity production, and we welcome the new Prime Minister’s mission to become a green energy superpower by 2030.

“We’re proud of the role that Fred. Olsen Renewables plays in meeting the drive to renewables across the UK. Not just towards helping meet the country’s climate change targets and energy security, but economically, contributing hundreds of millions of pounds to national output and creating hundreds of jobs.”

RenewableUK's Head of Policy James Robottom said: "This new polling provides yet more evidence that a clear majority of people throughout the UK consistently support onshore wind and would welcome the opportunity to host new projects in their area.

“As it's one of our cheapest sources of new power, onshore wind is good for consumers, as well as increasing our energy security and tackling climate change. It has an important role to play in achieving vital green economic growth which is central to the new Government's agenda - our research shows that doubling the UK's onshore wind capacity to 30 gigawatts by 2030 would boost the economy by £45 billion and create 27,000 jobs.

“Onshore wind also empowers local people by enabling them to have their say on what form community benefits should take, depending on the economic and social needs of each area where new projects go ahead".

In response to demand demonstrated in the poll for support for household energy bills in targeting future community benefit funds, Mr Becks-Phelps added:

“When household budgets are stretched, it’s no surprise that people want to see a benefit to them from locally constructed wind power projects. As the first ever operator of a Community Benefit fund in the Scotland, we can use this information to inform decision making and continue to lead our industry.”