FRESH OPINION POLL SUPPORTS A RENEWABLE ENERGY FUTURE FOR SCOTLAND

20^th April 2026

Despite recent political pressure to promote investment in nuclear power and open more oil and gas fields in the North Sea, a new poll commissioned by independent renewable energy business GreenPower indicates a significant level of support and preference for renewable energy.

When asked about Scotland’s future energy security needs, only 14% considered relying on a uranium-fuelled nuclear power compared to 55% support for harvesting home grown wind, water and solar sources of energy.

Labour and Libdem voters show majority support for renewables sources of energy to deliver energy security, many times more popular than nuclear – which appears to leave both parties out of sync with their support bases. Only Reform UK and Conservative voters appear to prefer a focus on nuclear power. People who voted for the SNP and Green’s in 2024 appear overwhelmingly (over two thirds) to support renewables. Even in regions where nuclear facilities exist around Hunterston, Torness and Dounreay, a preference for renewables was in the clear majority over nuclear.

When asked which energy sector could be trusted most to ‘tell the truth’ about their costs, pollutants, and safety record, nuclear scored last at 12%, just behind the oil and gas industry at 13%. Renewables scored best, with nearly three times higher trust levels.

The poll of over 2000 Scots drawn from across the country was carried out by respected independent pollsters Survation during the first half of April 2026.

GreenPower Director, George Baxter, said:

“New nuclear power is a costly distraction for Scotland. Between eye-watering costs, huge public subsidies, decades-long delivery timelines and leaving a toxic legacy for future generations, it cannot compete with the immediate, affordable potential of our renewable resources. With the technology already available, a 100% renewables-led system is the only logical path to a secure and sustainable economy.

“A renewables-based energy system needs flexible power, a modern upgraded grid and energy storage, these should be the priority. That is what will provide lower cost energy, power industry and keep the lights on. Moreover, because nuclear is so inflexible it blocks renewables off the grid, forcing green energy generators to be turned off. Nuclear is no friend of sustainable energy.”

The Scottish Campaign to Resist the Atomic Menace has produced a series of up to date briefings for Ministers and politicians on nuclear issues, including: international studies of 100% renewables based systems, why nuclear power is not a solution to climate change and debunking the latest nuclear industry ‘wheeze’ of so-called ‘Small Modular Reactors’.

Notes to Editors