Almost 70% of Australians support the need to build more renewable energy projects according to new research released by the Clean Energy Council as it launches a new public information campaign, titled, ‘Clean energy works for Australia’.
The research, conducted by an independent research firm, represented the attitudes of 2501 respondents across Australia and found that over two thirds of Aussie voters on average (68%) support the need to produce more energy from renewable sources, with much lower support for nuclear and coal.
Rooftop solar attracted the most support from voters (80%), followed by hydropower (73%), solar farms (69%), onshore wind (60%) and offshore wind (59%), with moderate support for gas (50%) versus nuclear (35%) or coal (33%).
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Clean Energy Council CEO Kane Thornton says, “Our research shows Australia is largely on board with the need to continue the nation’s transition towards renewables, but the rise of anti-renewables campaigns plaguing our screens has led to a degree of uncertainty and Aussies just want the facts to make informed decisions before heading to the polls this year.
“The Clean Energy Works for Australia campaign comes as voters grapple with misinformation about the benefits of clean energy sources for household bills and the significant number of jobs the industry creates.
“We know Australians want and expect pragmatic solutions to the cost-of-living crisis, including the best way to lower energy bills. It’s time we clear the air as the national energy conversation heats up—it’s not just in our national interest, but in the best interests of Aussie households, businesses, farmers and manufacturers,” he said.
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The public sentiment research confirmed that 75% of Australians view cost of living as a key election priority. Reducing energy prices and power bills ranked in the top three cost of living concerns for Australians (19%), after groceries (35%) and housing (23%).
More than half (53%) of those surveyed indicated that they would be more likely to support a candidate or party that prioritises investment in clean energy at an election, with only 12% less likely to do so. Meanwhile a clear majority (65%) of regional and rural Australians believe that clean energy represents a new opportunity to use the sun, wind and water, that they have always relied on, to bring prosperity to their communities.
The Clean Energy Council is the renewable energy industry’s peak body, representing 1,000 companies from large-scale solar and wind developers to rooftop solar businesses. It will publish a new energy fact check website, supported by a research series, and targeted ads, to help combat myths about the industry.
