2010 EPRG Public Opinion Survey: Policy Preferences and Energy Saving Measures

Laura Platchkov, Michael Pollitt, David Reiner and Irina Shaorshadze

Cambridge Working Papers in Economics from Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge

Abstract: This paper presents results of the 2010 Electricity Policy Research Group (EPRG) public opinion survey. The survey examines the energy policy preferences and attitudes of the British public, the potential for consumer engagement and consumer acceptance of various energy demand response activities. Wherever possible, comparisons were made to EPRG public opinion surveys from 2006 and 2008. Since the global financial crisis of 2008, energy and environmental concerns have decreased in priority, and respondents are more sceptical about government interventions in electricity markets. The share of individuals reporting that they are experiencing serious hardship due to energy prices has gone down from the 2008 level. While roughly half of the respondents would agree to have detailed metered consumption information recorded by their energy providers, they are even more wary about making data available to other entities. Local ownership is a potential motivating factor for public support for local small-scale energy plants. Energy efficiency measures had higher uptake than in previous years, but the widespread measures are typically cheaper and easiest to implement. There is scope for shifting discretionary electricity load to off-peak hours through both Time-of-Use tariffs and smart appliances that require limited user intervention.

Keywords: Public opinion survey; Electricity policy; Smart meters; Smart appliances; Community energy; Time-of-use tariffs; Supplier switching; Energy efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L94 Q40 Q42 Q48 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011-07-26
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Working Paper: 2010 EPRG Public Opinion Survey: Policy Preferences and Energy Saving Measures (2011)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cam:camdae:1149

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