New survey finds overwhelming support for renewables

Despite finding massive support for renewables, a new Clean Energy Council report indicated energy is low down on voters’ priority lists.

Labor has pledged to drive a massive uplift in renewable energy generation.

An overwhelming majority of Australians support more renewables being built, a new report from the country’s peak zero emission representative body has found.

The findings showed nearly 70 per cent of respondents supported building new renewables.

The federal Labor government has pledged to continue with its plan of having renewables generate 82 per cent of the country’s electricity by 2030, while the Coalition has said it will instead build seven nuclear power stations to allow Australia to meet its pledge to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

The research, which was conducted by an independent research firm, represented the attitudes of 2501 respondents.

While the report from the Clean Energy Council found broad support for renewables, different generations had vastly different levels of endorsement.

Solar was Australia’s most supported, while offshore wind secured 59 per cent approval.

The report said 33 per cent of respondents supported coal, while nuclear secured approval from 35 per cent of those surveyed.

Offshore wind secured 59 per cent approval. Picture: John Moore/Getty Images

The report also found 53 per cent of those surveyed indicated they would be more likely to support a candidate or party which prioritises investment in clean energy at an election.

While the results, if representative of the country, are a boost to Labor — behind in recent polls — the Clean Energy Council’s own report concluded energy was well down on the priority list for voters.

The public sentiment research confirmed 75 per cent 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, with 19 per cent support.

The Clean Energy Council also said it will launch a campaign to counter what it describes as mistruths.

Kane Thornton, chief executive of the Clean Energy Council, said voters want to know more about the short and long-term impacts of different energy sources on their quality of life and hip pockets.

“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,” Mr Thornton said.

Originally published as New survey finds overwhelming support for renewables