14th April 2014

More people would prefer a wind farm in their local council area than a fracking site, according to research published today by YouGov for the renewables company, Ecotricity.

When asked “Which of the following energy projects or plans would you prefer to have operating in your council area”, 62% said a wind farm, 19% said a fracking site and 19% said they didn’t know.

The research found that a wind farm was more popular than a fracking site, regardless of political opinion. The preference for wind farms was lowest UKIP and Conservative supporters and highest among Lib Dem and Labour supporters

Conservatives:           50% chose wind, 33% chose fracking, 17% did not know

Labour:                      76% chose wind, 9% chosefracking, 14% did not know

Lib Dem:                    78% chose wind,14% chosefracking, 8% did not know

UKIP:                        41% chose wind, 36%chose fracking, 24% did not know

Women were more likely to support wind farms than men. The research found that among women, 68% of women would prefer a wind farm, compared with 9% who would prefer a fracking site. The figures for men were: 56% would prefer a wind farm, compared with 29% a fracking site.

Fracking was more popular in older people. According to the research, of those that preferred fracking over wind, 29% were over 60.

The sample size was 2,061 adults. Fieldwork was carried out online from 8-9th April.