Regen has worked with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Renewable & Sustainable Energy to develop a guide to help MPs and others cut through the complexity and misinformation and empower informed, constructive dialogue.
Our myth-busting guide on onshore renewable energy emerged from a simple but pressing question: how can we better support MPs in responding to public concerns around renewable energy technologies?
In a conversation with the PRASEG team, we discussed how myths and misinformation – about everything from wind and solar to battery storage and grid infrastructure – can fuel uncertainty and resistance to clean energy projects. We realised that MPs and community leaders need a clear, evidence-based resource to navigate these conversations confidently. And so, this guide was developed: a tool designed to cut through the complexity and misinformation, address common myths directly, and empower informed, constructive dialogue.
This easy-to-read guide delves into the myths surrounding renewable energy technologies including solar, wind, battery storage, heat and grid infrastructure, providing evidence-based responses. It addresses a wide range of common concerns, including costs, land use, noise, safety and the reliability of renewable energy sources.
By providing concise answers, its aims to make it easier for MPs and others to respond accurately to public concerns and demonstrate that, with proper planning and management, these technologies can co-exist harmoniously with the environment and local communities.
Topics covered include:
🤝 Renewables
Myth: Local communities don’t support renewables
Fact: 84% of people in the UK support renewable energy
🌞 Solar
Myth: It will use too much countryside and farmland
Fact: To achieve net zero, solar would only need to cover 0.3% of our land
💰 Jobs
Myth: The transition to renewable energy will put jobs at risk
Fact: Renewable energy and energy efficiency can deliver more jobs in local communities across the country than fossil fuels
🏠 Heat pumps
Myth: Heat pumps won’t be able to heat most houses
Fact: Research has found that modern heat pumps can be used to heat most UK homes, including older properties
🌊 Infrastructure
Myth: We could easily put all the transmission infrastructure underground or at sea
Fact: While underground or subsea transmission is possible, it is significantly more expensive. Using overground transmission lines will help to keep energy bills down.
This guide empowers MPs to have informed, constructive conversations with constituents. It’s designed to aid in conveying the benefits of onshore renewable projects in a way that resonates locally, demystifying concerns and highlighting how these projects can strengthen energy security, create local jobs and provide local benefits.
While this guide is an important step, there is a lot more that needs to be done to ensure that communities are properly brought along on the journey to a decarbonised energy system. It remains essential for developers to actively involve communities in project design and deliver meaningful benefits, including opportunities for community ownership. However, for projects to gain traction, people must first have access to accurate information.
To keep up to date with our work on planning, community engagement and community benefits, Regen members can join our planning working group here.