No desire to pay for renewables

A POLL of Scots has found that an overwhelming majority would not be prepared to pay more for their energy to guarantee that it came from renewable sources like wind, wave and solar.

Most Scots are also unwilling to see all the country’s nuclear power plants close if it led to Scotland having to buy in energy from abroad.

The poll carried out by ComRes at the start of last month surveyed more than 1,000 Scots. It found that 70 per cent said they would not be ready to pay higher power bills to guarantee it came from renewables. Only 18 per cent backed that proposition, while 13 per cent were undecided.

The poll also found that 63 per cent were against the closure of Scotland’s remaining power stations at Hunterston and Torness in order to switch to renewables, even if it meant buying in from abroad. Only 22 per cent backed the nuclear closures.