One in four Brits don't really understand how energy is produced, study finds

23 November 2023 , 10:20

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Nearly half of Brits are baffled that the UK does not have more solar farms (Image: Island Green Power)

Nearly one in four Brits (23%) admit their knowledge is either weak or non-existent – when it comes to how energy is produced, according to research.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that four in ten (39%) don't believe they could confidently explain to someone what the National Grid is, as 21% admit they are clueless about how it works. And a quarter (24%) do not fully understand how energy is produced – although 43% are perplexed about why the UK does not have more solar farms.

The research, commissioned by Island Green Power, found that almost half of those polled (47%) worry about the UK getting left behind when it comes to taking proactive steps towards renewable energy sources. And 53% feel the government have been prioritising other things, with 46% saying those in charge are not taking the switch to renewable energy sources seriously enough.

Dave Elvin, head of projects UK & Ireland for solar energy company, Island Green Power, said: “There’s a lot of confusion around the energy sector currently, with rising energy bills, questions on grid access and energy security, alongside ongoing debates around renewable and traditional energy.

But four in ten would not feel confident explaining the National Grid to someone else - as a fifth are clueless about how it works (Island Green Power)

“What we do know is that climate change and the security of energy supply is clearly becoming harder to ignore in our everyday lives. As countries transition away from fossil fuels, the United Kingdom is primed to be a world leader in renewable energy – but we need to move fast.

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“By developing expertise in renewables like solar, we can generate more homegrown energy, help bring bills down, and increase the amount of energy that gets into the system and into our homes.” And 39% think solar is an essential part of our country’s renewable energy mix – with 44% believing that the country’s energy needs should be served entirely by solar and wind power.

However, over half (56%) of those polled are of the opinion that changes from the government should have been made to the energy structure a long time ago. It also emerged 57% of those who took part in the study, via OnePoll.com, want to see the UK move to renewable energy sources entirely within the next 10 years or sooner, while 82% support an increased use of solar farms in our country.

The main reasons for this include reducing our dependence on other countries we import from (63%), helping to lower costs of energy (63%), and reducing air pollution (61%). Meanwhile, exactly two-thirds think that by developing expertise in renewable energy, like solar, we can create new export industries and generate economic security for the UK.

Dave Elvin, from Island Green Solar, added: “All year round solar energy is an essential and vital part of the UK’s energy mix – even during the winter, when sunny weather might not be the first thing one thinks about in the United Kingdom.

“We know that to hit the country’s Net Zero and climate change targets, boosting our solar and renewable energy capacity isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s essential. At risk of getting left behind, we must move quickly to help ensure energy security and combat climate change, now and for tomorrow.”

Andrew Young