Exclusive Ifop survey for ENGIE: 84% of French people have a favourable opinion of renewable energy

“The French overwhelmingly favour renewable energy. Their support, however, is not unconditional; it is contingent on tangible results, clear advantages and a balanced energy mix. What we're seeing is far from simple optimism. It is a thoughtful and mature demand for an energy transition that is believable and effective,” explains Jérôme Fourquet, Director of the Opinion Department at Ifop.

“French people have a highly favourable opinion of renewable energy, a finding that challenges the widely held assumption that people are generally opposed to it. As the leading wind and solar energy company in France, ENGIE is fully committed to meeting public expectations by delivering tangible benefits from the energy transition in people’s everyday lives," says Catherine MacGregor, CEO of ENGIE.
 

For the French, Energy is a Top Priority

The survey conducted by Ifop for ENGIE highlights the strategic importance of energy for French people, with nearly one in two French people (48%) saying energy is a top priority.

With almost 7 in 10 respondents considering it "very important”, energy sovereignty has emerged as a key issue. It is closely related to other major concerns for French people: purchasing power, safety, international tensions and the environmental crisis.
 

Favourable Opinion of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is seen favourably by 84% of the French population. People living near a renewable energy site are more likely to have a positive opinion, with 94% of local residents reporting a favourable view, more than 10% higher than the national average. Local residents are even more likely to have a favourable opinion (95%) when they have been involved in the decision to set up the facility, proving that early engagement is a factor in securing support.

This support is based on clearly identified benefits: fighting climate change (79%), strengthening energy sovereignty (78%) and job creation (77%). However, the impact on energy bills (62%) remains to be proven.

Similarly, French people support the development of renewable energy: 62% believe the growth of renewable energy has been too slow, and 68% would like to see it increase over the next five years. 56% believe electricity should be generated through a balanced energy mix of nuclear and renewables, while only 12% support relying solely on nuclear energy.

This support, however, must be grounded in evidence. French people want tangible information on the production capacity of renewables, their reliability and their impact on the landscape and biodiversity. The public is looking for reassurance regarding every stage of the value chain, from dependence on imports for essential components to recycling.

67% of French people consider energy companies a reliable source of information on these issues, ranking them above the media, AI and politicians in trustworthiness.
 

Real-World Exposure to Renewable Energy

Based on a rigorous methodology, this survey isolated a robust sub-sample of over 2,500 French people who live near renewable energy facilities, enabling a detailed analysis of how real-world exposure impacts opinion.

Contrary to popular belief, people living near renewable energy facilities have a positive and clear-sighted opinion of them. They are more likely than French people in general to see the benefits, including job creation and tax revenues, while also recognising the drawbacks. They are also more likely to expect to benefit directly in return for accepting the existence of these facilities.

However, acceptance is not the same as unquestioning approval. It is grounded in real-world experience, a clear grasp of how the facilities operate and an ability to put any inconveniences into perspective. The survey shows that living close to these sites does not trigger opposition to them — instead, it helps shape a more realistic and informed view of them.
 

How to Build Stronger Public Support

Broadly supportive of renewable energy, French people are ready to support an energy transition more heavily reliant on it in the future. Their support, however, is contingent on them being well-informed, actively involved and having their need for clear information satisfied.

Education is a crucial driver for understanding and support, as one in two French people report having a more positive opinion of renewable energy once they are presented with factual, objective information on its advantages, including its impact on purchasing power, local economic growth, energy sovereignty and environmental protection. With 67% of French people — and 76% of local residents — viewing companies as trustworthy sources of information, businesses have a key role to play in turning renewable energy from a promising concept into a concrete, shared reality.

The real challenge now is building credibility — transforming renewable energy from an inspiring promise into a proven, visible and measurable reality that delivers on its potential.