80% of UK public backs wave and tidal energy

New figures released by the UK government show wave and tidal energy has the backing of 80 per cent of the public.

The figures say that a consistently high percentage of people are backing the UK’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The latest Public Attitudes Tracker, published quarterly by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, shows 82 per cent of people support the use of renewable energy, while only 2 per cent oppose it.

Since the poll began in 2012, support for renewables has remained between 74 per cent and 85 per cent.

Also, the popularity of offshore wind stays high at 81 per cent, while onshore wind also enjoys a huge majority of support at 77 per cent.

76 per cent of people said they were concerned about climate change.

RenewableUK’s deputy chief executive, Melanie Onn, said:

“Even while we face the unprecedented challenges posed by Covid-19, the public supports continued action to avoid the worst the impacts of climate change and make our economy more sustainable.

“Investment in new renewables, which is supported by 82% of people, will stimulate growth and employment as the economy recovers from the impacts of the virus.

“Renewable energy capacity will grow rapidly this decade and beyond to meet our net zero emissions target, and our industry will be investing tens of billions of pounds and creating much-needed jobs across the UK.”

Global wave and tidal stream energy production has risen tenfold over the last decade, according to a report issued by Ocean Energy Systems (OES).

Ocean Energy Systems (OES) annual report shows cumulative energy produced from wave and tidal stream sources surged from less than 5GWh in 2009 to 45GWh in 2019.