RenewableUK today commented on a YouGov poll for The Sunday Times which showed that 52% of Conservative voters felt that the government should either encourage or allow the building of more onshore wind farms.
This contrasted with just 18% who felt that they should be banned.
For the general public as a whole the numbers rose to 61% in favour of more onshore wind and 14% calling for a ban.
Offshore wind also proved popular with 73% in favour of more.
When asked whether Britain should start extracting shale gas 43% said we should not, with 32% feeling we should.
RenewableUK Chief Executive Maria McCaffery said: “Recent comments suggest that the Government is looking to restrict onshore wind as it’s concerned about the technology’s popularity. These poll results, and the many like them that have gone before, should provide reassurance that the majority of people, however they vote, want to see more onshore wind, and that any premature curtailment is not necessary. Indeed, as the Government has said it's committed to decarbonisation at the lowest cost, early curtailment would seem to directly contravene government objectives.
"Our onshore wind resources provided enough power for the equivalent of over four million homes last year, and we need to see more installed if we are to meet our decarbonisation and security of supply ambitions, and go to the upcoming Paris Climate Conference looking credible.
"As onshore wind is the least cost way to decarbonise our electricity system, consumers may face higher bills if it were to be restricted. This is a sector with strong public support, and any blocking based on the views of a vociferous minority will ring alarm bells for all infrastructure investors”.
