Western fears on Russian energy

A clear majority of west Europeans regard Russia as an unreliable energy supplier but remain resistant to paying more for alternative supplies from renewable energy sources.

An FT/Harris poll found that a majority of respondents in the UK, Germany, France and Italy were opposed to Russian companies investing in their countries – although 55 per cent of Spanish respondents favoured such investment.
Even though the western European public appears keen to lessen its dependence on Russian gas supplies, consumers are reluctant to pay much – if any – more for alternative nuclear or renewable energy.

A majority of those with some responsibility for paying their household energy bills say they would pay nothing more for energy coming from renewable sources.

Of those that say they would pay more, the majority would pay only 5 per cent.

About two-thirds of respondents say it is “not at all likely” that they would pay an extra €150 ($220,