People prefer living near wind turbines to fracking wells – survey

People would much rather have wind turbines near their house than fracking wells, a survey suggests.

Asked if they would prefer a wind turbine erected or a shale gas well drilled near their home, 65% of more than 2,000 people polled favoured the turbine, with just 14% backing the shale gas operation.

Despite recent moves by the Conservatives to curb onshore wind and other renewables while going “all out for shale”, Tory supporters were also more in favour of wind than shale, with 58% opting for a turbine and 23% for a well.

The polling by ICM for Co-operative Energy found solar was the most popular choice for electricity generation, with 30% saying it was their most preferred source, while just 2% most wanted to get their power from shale or fracked gas.

More than half (53%) of those quizzed were likely to support a wind turbine within two miles of their home, with just 19% likely to oppose such a development, while the backing for locally-sited solar farms was even higher.

Among Conservative supporters, backing for wind turbines or solar farms nearby was lower and opposition higher.

But more than two thirds of people (67%) and almost as many Tory supporters (62%) were in favour of renewables projects near their homes, including wind turbines, if they were controlled and owned by the community with local people benefiting from the profits.

And almost four fifths (78%) wanted the government to do more to help communities generate their own power and keep the profits, according to the survey at the start of community energy fortnight.

The poll comes after ministers announced plans to slash subsidies for small scale renewables, which campaigners warn would be the death of community energy schemes such as solar panels on schools or library roofs.

Ramsay Dunning, at Co-operative Energy, said: “The overwhelming picture from our poll is that the British public support renewable, and most importantly, community energy generation.

“Therefore the government’s decision to withdraw its support from the renewable sector is extremely disappointing and at odds with popular opinion.

“Not only is support for onshore wind and solar as strong as ever but people actually want to be involved in local, community-owned projects in their own backyard.

“There is a real appetite amongst the general public to see renewable energy grow and prosper, but with more emphasis on community energy schemes which allow local communities to share the rewards.”

The poll also found that more people (47%) were in favour of paying a small amount on their bill to support renewables, than against such a levy (30%).

And it revealed that almost half (49%) blamed energy companies’ desire for profits for pushing up bills, while less than a fifth (17%) believed rises were down to green levies.

The results are similar to a 2012 poll commissioned by the Co-operative, which found 67% of respondents favoured a wind turbine within two miles of their home, compared to just 11% who would support a shale gas development.