8 in 10 UK Bosses Support Offshore Wind

A poll of nearly 1,000 bosses by the Institute of Directors found that nearly eight in ten, or 78.8% to be more precise, support the increased deployment of offshore wind in UK waters.

998 members of the Institute of Directors replied to the survey between 11-26 May 2016.

Out of those surveyed, 44.5% strongly support increased development of offshore wind capacity, while around 14% oppose the increased deployment.

The survey shows that businesses want a broad mix of sources in the UK energy mix. A majority supported all mainstream forms of renewable power generation, although the most popular, wave and tidal (88%), is still largely untested in the UK. Over half of IoD members also back hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, of shale rock for oil and gas.

“Renewables are a significant, and growing, source of energy. The UK has the world’s highest offshore wind capacity, with much more expected. But technology based on the weather doesn’t work all of the time, so the UK needs a mix of renewables, nuclear and the cleanest hydrocarbons,” said Dan Lewis, Senior Infrastructure Policy Adviser at the Institute of Directors.

59% of the directors felt energy policy had been more successful in increasing the use of renewable sources since British politicians first pivoted in this direction shortly after the turn of the millennium. In 2002, the Labour Government under Tony Blair launched a review of energy policy that led to the first targets to cut CO2 and has set the tone for policy-makers since.

“Since the early 2000s, government of all stripes have focussed on increasing use of renewable energy in order to reduce carbon emissions. Cutting CO2 is overwhelmingly supported by business, but politicians have underplayed the other two crucial aims of energy policy, delivering secure and affordable power. Following the creation of the new business and energy department, now is the ideal moment for the Government to reconsider the direction of travel,” Lewis said.