Nearly two-thirds (63%) of people in the UK believe that clean energy strengthens the country's energy security, according to a new report commissioned by eleven major energy trade associations.

The report, Watt Communities Want: Six Insights into UK Public Opinion on Energy, also found that while reducing energy bills remains the public's top priority, voters broadly support long-term investment in energy infrastructure and favor spreading those costs over time rather than delaying them.

The study surveyed 996 British adults from across the political spectrum between 23 March and 20 April 2026. It was conducted by research firm Early Studies using two methodologies: social circle polling and the "triple tense" technique.

According to the findings, 72% of respondents identified lower energy bills as their highest priority. However, half of those surveyed (50%) said they support spreading infrastructure investment costs fairly over many years, compared with 28% who would prefer lower bills now even if it leads to higher costs in the future.

The report highlights six key insights into public attitudes toward energy in the UK: clean energy is viewed as a contributor to national security; energy bills remain the primary concern; climate change and air pollution continue to matter; the public supports a flexible energy system based on energy storage; clean energy is increasingly seen as an industrial opportunity; and confusion remains about how the current energy system operates.

When asked about excess renewable energy generation, 57% of respondents supported energy storage solutions to provide greater flexibility to the system, while 46% backed upgrades to the electricity grid.

Climate change remains a significant concern for the public, ranking third among six energy-related priorities in 2026, with support from 39% of respondents. That figure is expected to rise to 49% by 2030, according to participants' projections.

Reducing air pollution ranked second among future energy priorities in 2026, supported by 37% of respondents, and is projected to become the leading concern by 2030, reaching 42%, although results varied according to political affiliation.

The report also found that public understanding of the energy system has improved compared with previous years. However, significant misconceptions persist, including an overestimation of energy suppliers' profits within household bills and an underestimation of the amount of energy already generated from clean sources.

In addition, researchers identified widespread confusion about the UK's Clean Power 2030 target. Most respondents believed the objective is to achieve a system powered entirely by renewable energy, highlighting what the report describes as a need for clearer communication from both the energy sector and government.

Alfred Malmros, Co-founder of Early Studies, said the research methods were designed to reduce the social desirability bias often associated with climate and energy polling. He said the findings reveal stronger support for domestically produced clean energy than current public discourse suggests and indicate that support for energy security measures appears resilient rather than fragile.

Aaron Gould, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE), said voters are focused on reducing bills, protecting jobs and strengthening energy security. He argued that maximizing the use of British renewable energy, recovering waste heat from facilities such as data centres and developing modern electricity and heat networks would help deliver those objectives.

Yselka Farmer, Chief Executive Officer of BEAMA, said the findings demonstrate broad consumer acceptance of the need for a clean energy transition, providing a strong foundation for policymaking and market delivery. She added that consumers want to see the benefits of the transition reflected in their energy bills and stressed the importance of continued investment in infrastructure to unlock skills development and employment opportunities.

Olivia Powis, Chief Executive Officer of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), said the survey shows strong public support across political affiliations for long-term investment in energy infrastructure. She added that carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) will play a critical role in delivering clean energy, decarbonising industry and supporting economic growth and job creation across the UK.