Britons support efforts to use more renewable energy - but question its effectiveness in bringing down bills

Britons support efforts to use more renewable energy - but question its effectiveness in bringing down billsSee more This is Money on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Updated: 02:29 EDT, 27 August 2026 Britons broadly support efforts to ramp up use of renewable energy sources but question their effectiveness in bringing down bills, a survey has found.The Government is pushing ahead with an expansion of nuclear power capacity, aiming for it to supply a quarter of the country’s electricity by 2050.And it is likely to win some support, as 21 per cent of Britons prefer the energy source ahead of solar (19 per cent) and offshore wind (18 per cent), a YouGov survey commissioned by cable supplier Eland Cables found.But there is a growing schism between the public’s support for green energy and confidence in what it can deliver.Half of those surveyed think green energy is unlikely to bring down energy bills over the next decade, with a similar proportion doubting it can meet Britain’s future energy needs.The Government is piling money into the net zero transition in the hope it will improve Britain’s energy security and reduce its exposure to fluctuating wholesale prices during global conflicts. Britons are warming up to the green energy push but concerns over bills persistThe Iran war has triggered another increase in energy bills with the energy price cap rising by four per cent in October, while expert forecasters at Cornwall Insight anticipate a further 9 per cent hike next January.While Labour hopes to ramp up investment in green energy, 46 per cent of households remain unconvinced it will provide energy security and 22 per cent believe it will further negatively affect prices.The further hike in prices this winter will wipe out the proposed VAT cut on energy bills from October, with energy supplier EDF this week warning bills would remain ‘stubbornly high’ until the end of the decade.While support for renewable energy sources is dwindling, there is even less enthusiasm for further investment in North Sea oil and gas.Andy Burnham will soon decide the future of the Jackdaw gas field and Rosebank oilfield in the region, but just 29 per cent of those surveyed support new drilling licences.While the majority of Britons support wind and solar projects, support falls away when projects are closer to home as they question what benefits they provide locally.That appears particularly pronounced among homeowners, with 55 per cent believing more green energy projects would negatively affect local landscapes and green spaces, compared to 43 per cent of renters.‘These findings suggest the public is no longer asking whether renewable energy should be deployed. The bigger question is now whether the benefits are being felt yet,’ said Jean-Sébastien Pelland, executive director at Eland Cables.He added: ‘While support is high, there's still a lot of uncertainty around issues like energy costs, security of supply and future demand. 'That tells us the conversation is becoming less about ambition and more about delivery…. It's no longer enough to measure success by megawatts installed.’SAVE MONEY, MAKE MONEYUp to £250 cashbackUp to £250 cashback2.5% cashback when investing at least £2004.61% cash Isa4.61% cash IsaTrading 212: 1.01% fixed 12-month bonus£200 Sipp cashback£200 Sipp cashbackFund a pension with at least £20,000Up to £150 cashbackUp to £150 cashbackOpen a savings account with at least £5,000Welcome bonusWelcome bonusGet up to £200 when you invest £100Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Terms and conditions apply on all offers.