This week: Studies reveal majority of U.S. consumers want more renewable energy, corporations increase commitments to renewables

NEW YORK, 25.09.2012. Two studies commissioned by Vestas reveal 67 percent of U.S. consumers prefer renewable energy among all energy sources. Also, 51 percent of American consumers would be more willing to buy brands for products made with renewable energy, while corporations are continuing to show preference for investing in renewables.
 
The Corporate Renewable Energy Index Report 2012 (CREX), conducted by Bloomberg New Energy Finance in which 389 companies participated worldwide, showed 49 percent of U.S. consumers prefer the amount of energy from fossil fuels decreases over the next five years while 78 percent prefer an increase in renewables over the same time period.
 
Meanwhile, the Global Consumer Wind Study 2012 (GCWS), produced by TNS Gallup, revealed 44 percent of U.S. consumers surveyed perceive climate change as one of the top five challenges facing the world today. Further, 74 percent of respondents indicated increased use of renewable energy is a good solution.
 
Vestas, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, and TNS Gallup presented the results today at Bloomberg Tower.
 
“The evidence presented by the surveys is extremely encouraging, clearly showing that consumers are demanding more renewable energy in the grid and are showing a willingness to pay a premium price for products made with renewable energy,” said Morten Albaek, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communication and Corporate Relations at Vestas.
 
U.S. corporations are helping lead the way to a better energy future. U.S. companies participating in the CREX study have increased renewable energy as a percentage of total electricity consumption from 8 percent in 2009 to 10 percent in 2011.
 
Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Intel Corporation, Alcoa, Kohl’s, and Microsoft are the corporations in the index consuming the most renewable energy. This accounts for a combined total of nearly 29 terawatt hours — enough energy to power 2.6 million US homes — the equivalent electricity consumption of Utah in 2011. In addition, 21 corporations, including Kohl’s, Whole Foods Market, Adobe Systems, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, powered their businesses 100 percent with renewable electricity.
 
“Corporations are part of the solution toward meeting the world’s rapidly rising demand for energy without increasing dangerous carbon emissions,” Albaek said. “The trend of private companies investing in renewable energy is very positive.”
 
To help spread the message about this comprehensive third-party evidence, Vestas launched the 2012 Energy Transparency campaign to increase visibility of consumers’ energy preferences globally and influencing companies’ energy procurement, while at the same time helping to shape the future energy mix of the world.
 
The campaign kicked off in Rio De Janerio in August and London last week. There also will be events in Frankfurt (Oct. 8) and Sydney (Nov. 29). The full reports on CREX and GWCS can be downloaded at www.energytransparency.com.