Scots Line Up Behind Renewables

Renewables has come out top of a new poll that asked people in Scotland which energy source the next Scottish Government should prioritise.

As Scotland heads to the polls on 5 May, the YouGov survey asked more than 1,000 respondents whether the next government should prioritise the continued development of renewables, extend the life of fossil fuel plants, use shale gas or build new nuclear power stations.

70% of those polled want to see more renewable energy such as wind, solar, wave and tidal, and two-thirds agreed that the next government should “continue to take forward policies that tackle greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.”

Only 19% said the next government should prioritise the use of fracking for shale gas while 42% said they should not prioritise building new or extending the life of fossil fuel power stations. 33% support new nuclear power plants being treated as a priority.

The poll, commissioned by Scottish Renewables, is published on the first day of the industry representative’s annual conference in Edinburgh.

Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “The poll suggests that the people of Scotland continue to be strongly behind the growth of renewable energy, with support for the sector way ahead of any other. Just months after the Paris climate change agreement, the poll also shows clear support for Scotland’s next government to prioritise policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”