85% of Global Consumers Want More Renewable Energy

September 19th, 2012 by Adam Johnston



Two recent studies commissioned by Vestas show there is a strong appetite for renewable energy across the globe.

According to the Global Consumer Wind Energy Study put out by TNS Gallup, which gauges consumer tastes on energy, 85% of global respondents want more renewable energy in the market.

The survey also noted 49% of those surveyed would be willing to pay more for renewable energy, while 45% believed climate change is one of the big three challenges facing the globe .

Other responses included that 62% of those asked would buy products from companies who use wind energy, while 74% of consumers would feel more positive if companies used wind as its primary source of energy.

“The evidence presented by the surveys is extremely encouraging, clearly showing that consumers are demanding more renewable energy in the grid and are showing a willingness to pay a premium price for products made with renewable energy,” said Vestas Group Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Corporate Relations Morten Albaek, in statement.

The survey was done in 20 countries with 24,000 respondents taking part.

Meanwhile, the Corporate Renewable Energy Index (CREX) written by Bloomberg New Energy Finance looks at what companies are doing voluntarily for renewable energy production.

Their results found global investments are advancing in new renewable energy capacity ($237 billion), more than fossil fuels ($223 billion).







Adding on top of that, businesses are showing a firm commitment to on-site renewable energy generation, including responsibility for 40% of 2011 renewable energy purchased, the index noted.

CREX is also an analyst tool used by various groups including, non-government organizations, consumers and policy makers, the release said.

While consumers play a vital role in supporting renewable energy, corporations, according to Vestas, can play a big role in supplying the world energy needs without ramping up global carbon emissions.

“The trend of private companies investing in renewable energy is very positive,” said Albaek.

“We have already seen many companies such as IKEA purchasing wind turbines as part of a commitment to get all of its energy from renewable sources, and recently Aviva, the UK’s largest insurance group invested in a wind power plant in Spain as they wanted a low risk, strong yield investment.”

“The findings of the CREX report show corporations are taking an active role in purchasing their own renewable energy directly. However the pace of growth in companies’ use of renewable energy will depend on the level of political and regulatory support, and on further progress in the cost-competitiveness of these technologies,” Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive of Bloomberg New Energy Finance said.

Source: Vestas









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