Welsh public backs renewable energy expansion

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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New polling suggests strong public support across Wales for expanding renewable energy, with voters across the political spectrum backing further development while calling for clearer information on costs, delivery and community benefits.

Research commissioned by RenewableUK Cymru found that 71% of people in Wales believe renewable energy development should increase, compared with just 6% who think it should decrease.

A majority of respondents (58%) said Wales’ future energy system should be mainly or entirely powered by renewables.

While broadly supportive, voters are pragmatic and sensitive to trade-offs, particularly around cost and affordability.

Lower energy bills emerged as one of the most widely recognised benefits of renewable energy, but affordability remains a key concern and is particularly evident in attitudes towards electricity grid infrastructure.

When not given cost information, 53% of respondents preferred underground cables.

However, support dropped to 29% when participants were told undergrounding could cost up to five times more. In contrast, support for overhead pylons rose from 14% to 43% once cost implications were explained.

The results suggest public opinion is not fixed, but shifts in response to clear information about financial trade-offs.

Jessica Hooper, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said: “This research shows that people in Wales are firmly behind renewable energy, across political divides, but it also shows they are thoughtful and pragmatic, not blindly supportive or ideologically opposed.

“They want honesty about the trade-offs, clear information on costs and delivery, and confidence that communities will share in the rewards.

“The risk now is not public resistance but misreading public opinion.

“With electricity demand projected to double, potentially triple, by 2050, decision makers need policies that deliver clean power at pace, keep bills affordable, and be honest about the trade-offs.”