One in three would object to new UK energy infrastructure near their home despite cash incentives

• Nearly three quarters (72%) of British adults think existing energy infrastructure in the UK is not sufficient to meet future demand, a new survey has found.
• Despite this, many oppose having new pylons, solar farms or wind farms built near their own homes.
• And one in three (32%) of respondents would object to at least one type of energy infrastructure being built within 500 meters of their home with no level of discount off their energy bills overcoming their objections.

People objecting to new energy infrastructure being built near homes are unlikely to be swayed by lower energy bills or cash incentives, according to new research from KPMG in the UK.

The UK Government has announced its aim for clean power by 2030, with at least 95% of power coming from low-carbon sources. This ambition comes with the need to invest in and deliver energy infrastructure projects at pace across the country. 

A new survey [1] by KPMG UK and YouGov has found that opposition to the transition to renewable sources of energy remains low, at just 12%, and nearly three quarters (72%) of respondents also recognise that existing energy infrastructure in the UK is not sufficient to meet future demand.

Despite this, the number of people who would object to having wind farms, solar farms or electricity pylons built near their homes remains high: 

• A fifth of adults (20%) would oppose having a solar farm built within 500 meters of their home, decreasing to 10% if it were five miles away.
• Three in 10 (30%) would object to windfarms within 500 metres, decreasing to 13% if it were five miles away.
• And almost half of those surveyed (46%) would object to electricity pylons within 500 meters, reducing to 14% if five miles away.

The Government recently announced, as part of the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill, households within 500 metres of new or upgraded pylons could get electricity bill discounts of up to £2,500 over 10 years, equivalent of up to £250 per year. Three quarters (74%) of all respondents agreed that it would be fair to offer discounted bills to those living near new energy infrastructure.

However, despite thinking it is fair, the research indicates that such offers are likely to be ineffective when proposed to those directly impacted. 

• Of those respondents who say they would object to new energy infrastructure within 500 metres of their homes, the overwhelming majority of them would still object if offered up to £250 off their bills for the next 10 years: 

o windfarms (78%),

o solar panels (78%),

o pylons (72%). 

• Furthermore, a high proportion of those who would oppose and also reject £250 off their bills stated that no level of discount would convince them to change their minds. 

o wind farms (79%),

o solar farms (77%),

o pylons (77%).

This equates to one in three (32%) of all respondents who would be opposed to at least one type of energy infrastructure being built within 500m of their home and wouldn’t be swayed by any level of discount in their energy bills.

Commenting on the findings, Simon Virley CB, Vice Chair and Head of Energy and Natural Resources at KPMG UK, said:

“The Government has ambitious plans when it comes to developing homegrown renewable energy and much rests on its ability to get new infrastructure built more quickly. The scale of the work needed to upgrade our grid and energy infrastructure has huge potential to boost investment and the economy, but planning delays will add costs and time.

“The current proposals for compensating communities directly affected are aligned to what people say they most want and believe to be fair. Making sure the communities who are going to be home to new infrastructure are compensated appropriately is an important factor, but it is clear that for some no level of financial incentive will suffice.

“A lot will hang on how effective wider measures within the Planning and Infrastructure Bill are at pushing through approvals and avoiding months and years of delays from the objections that are still likely to come.”

When asked which benefits they would most like to see introduced for those who live near new energy infrastructure, reduced energy bills for a limited period were the most popular (34%) choice. The most popular alternative was investment in local infrastructure, such as fixing potholes, which was supported by 16% of respondents, while one in ten (11%) agreed more job and training opportunities would also be good incentives. 9% of respondents don’t believe any benefits should be offered to households living near new energy infrastructure.