In this edition of Policy Unpacked, RenewableNI Policy Analyst Shane Corcoran takes a deep dive into Survation’s independent polling data on the truth of public sentiment towards renewable electricity in Northern Ireland.
As the saying goes, knowledge is power. In a world of ‘fake news’ and misinformation, factual data has the capacity to help achieve a true understanding of any situation.
The latest independent polling commissioned by RenewableNI proved no different, shedding much-needed light on the reality of public sentiment towards renewable electricity across Northern Ireland.
Despite the persistent ‘myth of opposition’ surrounding the development of renewables in the region, polling conducted by research agency Survation indicates that public sentiment is far more favourable than many of us imagined.
With the Climate Change Act setting a statutory requirement for Northern Ireland to generate 80 per cent of its electricity through renewables by 2030, understanding what people really think about low carbon energy – and the changes we need to make to reach that target – is crucial.
Minimal opposition to new renewable electricity
According to the 2024 survey, which included respondents from every council area in Northern Ireland, almost seven in ten backed the Stormont-set target of 80 per cent renewables by 2030, while only six per cent of respondents were opposed.
Almost two thirds of those questioned said they felt councils weren’t doing enough for renewables, while almost 70 per cent said the planning system should prioritise the build-out of renewables.
When it came to the development of new onshore wind turbines or solar farms, just seven per cent said they were opposed.
These are not the responses of a public set against progress in renewables. They’re anything but. And while the voices of opposition are legitimate and must be heard, for those of us in the industry working towards that goal, they have been over amplified, so it’s reassuring to know the majority of people agree it’s a goal worth fighting for.
At RenewableNI, we’re always open to meeting people with different views, discussing anyone’s concerns about renewable electricity and sharing insights.
Understanding the renewable electricity benefits
Elsewhere in our polling, respondents ranked their top three priorities when it came to the benefits renewables can offer.
- Understandably, most said lower energy bills for consumers was top of their list, followed by
- increased energy security and
- reduced fossil fuel emissions.
With such significant advantages expected to come hand in hand with a meaningful upsurge in renewable electricity output, backing development in the field makes sense.
With that in mind – and in light of the polling data – this is a clear example of why polling matters.
