Reform UK Voters Prefer Solar Farms to Fracking, According to Poll

Reform voters prefer solar farms to fracking despite party stance

A newly released poll reveals a striking disconnect between Reform UK’s energy policy and the preferences of its own supporters. When asked to choose between a local solar farm or a fracking site, 43% of Reform voters backed solar. Only 23% chose fracking. The findings, released by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, suggest the party’s opposition to renewables sits uncomfortably with voter opinion on the ground.

The survey was conducted by More in Common between 21 and 27 April 2026. Researchers polled 1,441 English adults living in areas with local elections scheduled for 7 May 2026. The results show this pattern extends far beyond Reform’s base. Across all voters surveyed, 60% preferred solar farms in their local area. Just 10% backed fracking.

This matters because Reform UK has built much of its energy narrative around opposition to net zero targets and support for expanded fossil fuel extraction. The party has consistently advocated for fracking as part of a broader push to increase domestic energy production. However, the polling indicates that message may not resonate with the people voting for them.

Renewable energy support among Reform UK voters runs deeper

The contradiction becomes sharper when viewed alongside earlier polling data. Previous surveys by More in Common, also commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, found that Reform voters showed substantial backing for renewable energy infrastructure. Among those planning to vote Reform UK, 56% supported onshore wind projects. Support for offshore wind stood at 66%. Solar farms received approval from 59% of Reform voters.

These figures suggest Reform supporters are not inherently opposed to renewable energy development. Instead, they appear to hold pragmatic views about local energy infrastructure that diverge from their party’s public stance. The gap between leadership rhetoric and voter preference creates a potentially awkward political position for Reform UK candidates in areas where energy projects become local planning issues.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit characterized Reform’s position as a pro-fracking, anti-solar stance that contradicts broad public opinion. Moreover, it appears to contradict the views of Reform’s own electoral base. Voters, it seems, would rather live near a quiet solar farm than a noisy fracking operation.

Planning battles and local election dynamics create immediate pressure

For businesses operating in areas with strong Reform UK support, these findings carry practical implications. Companies developing solar projects may face less local resistance than party positions suggest. Conversely, fracking proposals could encounter opposition even in constituencies where Reform performs well electorally. This creates a more nuanced planning landscape than party manifestos alone would indicate.

The timing of the poll, conducted just days before local elections, highlights how energy infrastructure has become a tangible local issue rather than an abstract policy debate. Voters are being asked to consider what they actually want built near their homes and businesses. The answer appears to favour renewables, even among those supporting a party that campaigns against them.

For manufacturers, property developers, and businesses with significant energy needs, this shift in voter sentiment creates opportunities. Solar installations and wind projects may find more community acceptance than political discourse suggests. However, it also means businesses need to read local opinion carefully rather than relying on party positions as a guide to community views.

Supply chain businesses serving the renewable energy sector may also find their market growing in unexpected areas. If Reform voters in practice support solar development at rates approaching 60%, then projects can move forward in a wider range of constituencies. That expands the geographic scope for renewable infrastructure and the businesses that support it.

What the polling reveals about UK energy policy and voter priorities

The survey results indicate several important points for businesses trying to navigate UK energy policy. First, 43% of Reform UK voters chose solar farms over fracking when presented with a direct choice. Second, 23% of those same voters selected fracking. Third, among all voters surveyed in English local election areas, 60% preferred solar farms. Fourth, just 10% of all voters backed fracking. Fifth, previous polling showed 56% of Reform voters supported onshore wind, 66% backed offshore wind, and 59% approved of solar farms. Sixth, the polling was conducted between 21 and 27 April 2026 among 1,441 English adults. Finally, all respondents lived in areas holding local elections on 7 May 2026.

Commercial implications for businesses in energy-intensive sectors

These findings suggest several considerations for UK businesses. Companies planning renewable energy projects may encounter less political opposition at the local level than national party positions imply. This could accelerate planning approvals and reduce the risk of prolonged community campaigns against new installations.

For energy-intensive businesses, the data indicates continued public support for expanding renewable capacity. This matters when making long-term investment decisions about power supply. Businesses that rely on price stability and supply security should note that the political risk to renewable development appears lower than some party platforms suggest. Therefore, power purchase agreements linked to solar or wind projects may carry less regulatory risk than previously assumed.

Businesses involved in the fracking supply chain face a different picture. The polling shows limited public appetite for shale gas development, even among voters who support parties advocating for it. Consequently, businesses banking on a fracking revival in the UK may need to reassess those assumptions. Community opposition appears strong and crosses party lines.

Procurement teams should also take note. Public sector suppliers increasingly face requirements to demonstrate environmental credentials. Understanding voter attitudes toward different energy sources helps businesses position their sustainability strategies more effectively. If 60% of voters prefer solar development, then procurement frameworks will likely continue moving in that direction regardless of which party controls local councils.

Furthermore, businesses operating in areas with upcoming local elections should pay attention to how candidates discuss energy infrastructure. A gap between party policy and voter preference creates space for local candidates to take positions that differ from national leadership. This could lead to more varied local planning environments than a simple left-right political map would suggest.

Practical steps for businesses navigating energy planning decisions

Businesses considering renewable energy installations should conduct their own local consultation work rather than assuming party political control predicts community response. The polling suggests voters assess energy infrastructure on practical grounds such as noise, visual impact, and local benefit rather than purely on ideological lines. A well-designed solar proposal may win support even in areas where the dominant party opposes renewables nationally.

Companies should also engage with local planning processes early and transparently. The gap between national party rhetoric and local voter preferences creates space for evidence-based discussion. Businesses that present clear information about jobs, energy output, and environmental impact may find more receptive audiences than political positioning alone would indicate.

For businesses in energy-intensive manufacturing, the data supports continued investment in on-site renewable generation or long-term renewable power contracts. Public support for solar and wind remains strong across political divides. This suggests the policy environment will continue favouring renewable development regardless of electoral outcomes. Planning on that basis appears commercially sound.

Property developers should consider how energy infrastructure affects site value and community acceptance. Solar farms appear to face less resistance than other forms of energy development. This could make land near solar installations more attractive for certain types of commercial development than land near fossil fuel sites. Market perceptions matter, and these poll results indicate solar carries less reputational risk.

Businesses should also monitor how this disconnect between party leadership and voter preference plays out in actual planning decisions over the coming months. The local elections scheduled for 7 May 2026 will provide early evidence of whether candidates align with party policy or voter preference when both diverge. That will offer useful intelligence for businesses planning projects over the next two to three years.

Where to find detailed energy policy and planning guidance

Businesses seeking further information on renewable energy planning should consult the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for current policy frameworks and guidance documents. The department publishes regular updates on planning requirements for solar, wind, and other renewable installations.

For specific planning questions, the Planning Inspectorate provides guidance on the application process and decision-making criteria for energy infrastructure projects. Their guidance notes cover community consultation requirements and environmental assessment standards.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit publishes regular analysis of public opinion on energy policy, including detailed breakdowns by region and political affiliation. Their reports provide useful context for businesses trying to understand local attitudes toward different energy technologies.

Companies looking to understand the commercial case for renewable energy should review resources from professional bodies such as the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, which offers guidance on environmental risk assessment and sustainability strategy. Additionally, our net zero program provides practical support for businesses navigating carbon reporting requirements and developing credible decarbonization plans that align with both regulatory requirements and commercial objectives.