Brits think they pay ’14 times more’ for wind energy

The UK public believe subsidies for wind energy paid for by them are 14 times higher than the amount they actually are. That’s according to a new survey, which found […]

The UK public believe subsidies for wind energy paid for by them are 14 times higher than the amount they actually are.

That’s according to a new survey, which found consumers think they pay £259 on their annual domestic dual fuel energy bill for wind power.

The amount however is estimated to be as little as £18 per household per year.

Wind turbines generate electricity between 70% and 85% of the time but the research revealed nine in 10 people “underestimate” their reliability. Two thirds of those surveyed think turbines produce energy less than half the time.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults also found more than 90% of people underestimate public support for wind power. While the energy source is claimed to be popular among 70% of Brits, those surveyed thought approval ratings were only 40%.

Maria McCaffery, Chief Executive of RenewableUK, which commissioned the survey said: “These independent polls show there are considerable misconceptions about the cost of supporting wind energy – it’s much lower than people think, at just 35p a week per household.

“This suggests the loud voices of a small minority, too-often perpetuated by negative rhetoric in some parts of the media, are trying to distort the facts. The truth is that the vast majority of the British population – 70% – are pro-wind power”.

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