New electricity grid infrastructure supported by more than half of people

A poll has found that 64 per cent of people support developing new electricity grid infrastructure to enable the decarbonisation of the UK economy and to improve energy security.

Only 5 per cent of those who were canvassed opposed it.

The Survation poll, commissioned by RenewableUK, notes that of those who voted Conservative in the last general election, 71 per cent are in favour and 6 per cent opposed.

Of the respondents, 51 per cent cite the lack of new grid infrastructure as a severe or moderate problem in making the most of new renewable energy sources.

Also, 61 per cent of people said a guaranteed community benefit fund provided by a grid developer would make them tend to favour an electricity powerline within five miles of their home, while 62 per cent said clear guidance from grid developers about the ways in which grid infrastructure could be changed (such as having underground cables) would make them more disposed to view it favourably.

RenewableUK’s director of future electricity systems Barnaby Wharton said: “This polling shows that, contrary to some widespread misconceptions, most people are actually in favour of building vital new grid infrastructure to connect up clean energy projects and enable them to deliver cheap power to British homes and businesses, increasing our energy security. It’s interesting for government to note that Conservative voters support this even more than the general public.

“Not only is there a strong foundation of support for new grid development, but government can build on that support by taking forward the recommendations in the report just released by the government’s Electricity Networks Commissioner Nick Winser. One of the clear messages from the polling is that people want to feel the benefits of hosting new grid near their homes, with funding for local community projects high on their list of priorities, alongside clear explanations of why it’s needed and how they can influence what’s built in their area.”

16th Aug 2023

Laura Edgar, The Planner

Our planning news is published in association with The Planner, the official magazine of the Royal Town Planning Institute.