What Wales really thinks about energy: Key insights from Cavendish Cymru’s groundbreaking polling. 

By James Brinning – Account Manager 

As Wales approaches a seismic 2026 Senedd Election, new YouGov polling commissioned by Cavendish Cymru sends a clear message to industry and politicians: support for renewables remains high. Our survey of 1,101 voters in Wales provides the most detailed insight yet into the Welsh public’s attitudes on energy, climate change, and Net Zero. 

A Clear Mandate for Clean Energy 

Despite increasingly toxic online debates, and vocal opposition from some politicians and community groups, the majority of people responding to our research back greener energy sources both locally and nationally. Over three quarters (78%) of the public support solar energy, while 69% would welcome onshore wind in their local area. This broad support cuts across party lines, regions, and age groups. 

Party Lines: Where Does the Welsh Public Stand? 

Revealing some surprising similarities between supporters of different Welsh political parties: 

• Plaid Cymru Supporters: Among the strongest advocates for climate action, over 80% of Plaid Cymru supporters back renewable energy, with 92% in favour of solar and 79% supporting onshore wind locally. Two-thirds (66%) support Net Zero by 2050, and more than 70% want the Welsh Government to pursue robust climate policies. 

• Labour Supporters: Unsurprisingly Labour supporters continue to back renewables, with 70% saying it is important the Welsh Government pursues policies to tackle climate change. Support for projects in the local area stands at 92% for solar and 84% for onshore wind – the highest levels of support seen across any party.  

• Reform UK Supporters: 48% of Reform UK supporters would endorse onshore wind in their local area rising to nearly two-thirds for solar projects. Notably, 48% support nuclear developments – a significantly higher level than Labour or Plaid Cymru supporters. 

• Right vs. Left: The data shows the split between left-leaning and right-leaning voters may not be as stark as it once was. Yes, support for ambitious climate action and renewables is strongest among Plaid Cymru and Labour supporters, while Reform UK supporters are more cautious, but there are surprisingly high levels of support for solar and wind. Could this significant appetite for renewables among voters on the traditional right wing prove to be a challenge for Reform UK, who currently have an aggressively anti-net zero policy platform? 

Generational and Regional Perspectives 

Views did not differ substantially between urban and rural residents, or across different regions of Wales. They did however vary across generations with levels of support declining with age. Younger people are significantly more supportive of tackling climate change, with 67% of Gen Z (those under 28) believing it is important, compared to just 41% of those aged 65 and above.  The impact of increased costs is more strongly felt with those in older age groups, compared to those in younger age groups.  

Pylons and Grid Infrastructure – a disconnect in language as well as the grid? 

Grid infrastructure (more specifically pylons) has been a point of controversy in Wales in recent years. The upgrades needed to existing grid infrastructure in Wales are stark – and politicians and members of the public alike have been highly vocal about the damage this could do to rural Wales. Our polling found that 54% of the Welsh public initially support undergrounding electricity transmission cables to avoid the visual impact of pylons. Reform UK supporters are most in favour (a staggering 71%). However, once informed about the higher costs and potential environmental impacts of undergrounding, support drops sharply amongst all respondents, to just 29%. This suggests honest conversations between policymakers and the public about the impacts of undergrounding are needed, and the sooner the better with a Senedd Election looming and this political football going nowhere fast.  

Looking Ahead to May 2026 

Our research tells policymakers, industry, and campaigners what the public really thinks – rather than what the loudest voices in the room are shouting. It shows support for onshore wind and solar is high among Plaid Cymru and Labour voters, with half of those intending to vote for Reform UK backing investment in wind and solar technologies. This may come as a surprise to some, even within the party itself.  

Crucially, it reveals that the public is wary of policies that might increase the costs of new energy developments, such as mandating undergrounding cables, particularly if it increases their energy bills or has a damaging effect on the environment. In the months ahead, we’ll have to wait to see if the political parties in Wales are willing to have the honest conversations needed with their voters to ensure Wales does not fall behind in the transition to renewables. To download the full report, click here.