Europeans expect solar to be a key energy source in future
BRUSSELS, Belgium, January 24, 2007 (Refocus Weekly) Personal interviews with 25,000 Europeans indicate that 80% of EU citizens support solar energy and 71% favour wind energy.
Interviews for the Eurobarometer study were conducted last May and June, and the results were published earlier this month, ahead of the launch of the European Commission's energy plan. The EU obtains 80% of its energy from fossil fuels and, in ten years, the continent could be using 10% more energy and, within a generation, importing almost all its oil and 80% of its gas, explains ‘Energy Technologies: Knowledge, Perception, Measures,’ requested by the European Commission.
People in Denmark are most enthusiastic, with 95% supporting solar and 93% supportive of wind energy. The country has the highest ratio of wind power in Europe, with 20% of its electricity generated by turbines.
Cyprus was in second spot at 94% and Greece at 93%, with opposition to renewables at a “practically non-existent” level. The greatest supporters of solar and wind are found among respondents who consider that reducing energy consumption is a very important issue in their country.
“Despite their strong support, the elderly, those with a lower level of education and house persons are slightly less favourable to these energy forms,” and hydroelectricity, ocean energy and biomass tend to divide public opinion. Among respondents, 14% mention renewable energy as the first thing that comes to their mind when they think about energy-related issues and the “relatively high perceived importance of renewable energy, considering the nature of the question, features throughout this study.”
At the low end of support, 70% of Latvians and 63% of Italians favour solar and wind energy respectively. Hydro and ocean technologies are supported by 65% and 60% of EU citizens, respectively.
Increasing demand, soaring prices, uncertain supplies and fears of global warming are all challenges and there are two main solutions, the report explains: “reducing energy demand by changing consumption patterns or using energy in a greener, more diverse and more efficient manner.”
EU citizens were polarized on the issue of nuclear, with the majority opposing reactors. Austrians (80%), Greeks (73%) and Cypriots (70%) are strongest critics, while support was 41% in Sweden and 37% in both Slovakia and Lithuania.
Respondents expect the continental energy mix to be more diversified in future, and 54% said it is very important to save energy and become more efficient although only 21% admit they have taken action to do so.
When asked to state spontaneously which issues they consider to be the most important facing their country, national employment was top and only 14% said energy. “This does not necessarily imply a low perception of the importance of this topic but reflects its ranking among other issues that impact more directly upon their daily lives,” the report explains. Malta (41%) is the top-ranking country in terms of respondents mentioning energy as important, followed by Slovakia (28%) and Luxembourg (24%) and dropping to 4% for Poland, Spain and Greece.
Socio-demographic factors have little influence on public opinion on energy issues, with young people and students caring less about prices than older citizens who tend to place less emphasis on renewables. Respondents who may be seen as environmentalists mention environmental issues and renewables more often than those who have a more practical approach.
The EU represents 25 countries and 450 million energy consumers.
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