A new survey has found that 62 per cent of people in the United Kingdom would choose a wind farm rather than have ‘fracking’ in their area.
The survey indicates people would rather live by a wind turbine than a coal seam gas (CSG) hydrauling fracturing or ‘fracking’ site.
The new research highlights the continued popularity of the renewable energy technology, regardless of an individual’s political inclinations.
British environmental news site BusinessGreen reports a total of 62 per cent of the 2061 people surveyed by YouGov said they would rather have a wind farm in their local council area than a ‘fracking’ project.
Just 19 per cent expressed a preference to have ‘fracking’ operations nearby.
The poll for green energy company Ecotricity also found ‘fracking’ was less popular with women than men, with just nine per cent of female respondents preferring the controversial gas extraction technique compared to 29 per cent of men.
Both sexes preferred wind, however: 68 per cent of women and 56 per cent of men selected wind over ‘fracking’.
‘Fracking’ was also far less popular with the younger generation; only 12 per cent of those that favour fracking over wind were in the 18 to 24 bracket, while 29 per cent were over 60.
BusinessGreen reports the findings tally with the Conservative government’s ongoing attitudes survey, with the most recent results showing 64 per cent of the public support onshore wind in the UK and only 28 per cent back ‘fracking’.
The Conservatives are considering capping the development of onshore wind farms from 2020.
However, the YouGov poll suggests wind is far more popular with their supporters than MPs have suggested, half of Conservative voters expressed a preference for wind energy development in their area, compared to a third who preferred ‘fracking’.
Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, which has launched a legal challenge against Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles’ decision to reject its four-turbine Black Ditch wind farm, suggested onshore wind had a higher approval rating than Prime Minister David Cameron.
And he queried why when faced with these results many within government seemed to be opposed to the cheapest form of renewable energy technology.
The survey revealed wind is most popular with Liberal Democrat voters, 78 per cent of whom voiced support for wind energy, closely followed by Labour supporters on 76 per cent.
Liberal Democrats also showed slightly more support for ‘fracking’ than Labour at 14 per cent compared to nine per cent.
“Government policy on this issue makes no sense, whether you measure it by public opinion, financial cost or energy security,” Mr Vince added.
“We need an energy policy driven by facts not politics, working in the long-term interest of our country, and that would have to incorporate onshore wind,” he added.