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Reference

The GfK NOP 'Wind Tracker'

A strong wind of support

The 'Wind Tracker' is a survey of public attitudes to wind energy in the UK, conducted by leading independent research company GfK NOP, and governed by MRS Codes of Conduct.

Wind Tracker

The tracker was first undertaken in August 2004, and has subsequently been repeated four times. The results of each wave of the tracker show that the majority of the population - some three-quarters - agree that wind farms are necessary to help us meet current and future energy needs in the UK.

The results of the latest wave, based on telephone research conducted elephone research conducted among 973 adults 16+ between 28-30 July 2006 showed that:

  • 76% of people in Great Britain agreed that wind farms are necessary so that we can produce renewable energy to help us meet current and future energy needs in the UK
  • 52% of people disagreed that wind farms are ugly or would be a blot on the landscape with 21% having no strong views
  • 60% of people think that what they look like is unimportant, because wind farms are necessary
  • 56% said they would be happy to have a wind farm in their local area, with 21% having no strong views

While the level of support seen nationally remained consistent with previous waves, a surprisingly strong response was observed north of the Border, with 83% of people living in Scotland agreeing that wind farms are necessary – a significant increase on the UK-wide result of 76% and 10% higher than the results of a poll using the same question one year ago.

A new question was introduced in this latest wave, echoing a question posed in a separate study, to assess opinion on wind energy locally. More than half of the sample claim that they would be happy to have a wind farm 'in their own back yard'.  Of the remainder, almost half are neutral about the issue. Interestingly, there are no differences at all between those who have seen a wind farm and those who haven't.

Previously in the GfK NOP 'Wind Tracker':

October 2005 - 80% of UK public believe wind is necessary

June 2005 - 77% of public believe wind is necessary

February 2005 - 79% of public embrace wind power

September 2004 - strong public support as new campaing launches