FOUR out of five Scots support the continuation of renewable energy measures, according to a new survey.

Of those polled, 79 per cent said they want the next UK Government to stick to renewable projects such as wind and wave power, the YouGov study found.

Almost two-thirds also want the Government to actively tackle climate change and implement policies to cut emissions.

The poll, commissioned by Scottish Renewables, also found just 26 per cent of people back fracking, while 45 per cent support new nuclear power stations. Only 14 per cent of the 1,008 people questioned said the Government should not continue to push policies to tackle climate change. Jenny Hogan, director of policy at Scottish Renewables, said the poll “illustrates the strength of support for renewables among Scotland’s electorate”, adding: “It is the only energy option that a majority of potential Scots voters say they would support.

“I believe this survey reflects the fact most people in Scotland accept we must continue to change the way we power and heat our homes and businesses in order to tackle climate change.”

The renewable energy sector in Scotland employs over 11,000 people and became the single largest energy source in the country in the second half of last year.

The Scottish Government has set out plans for 100 per cent of electricity consumption in Scotland to be provided by renewable sources by the year 2020, with renewables also forecast to provide 11 per cent of heat energy.

SNP MSP Dennis Robertson argued that while Scotland has made significant progress, there has not been enough support from Westminster governments.

“There is no doubt we have made strong progress in Scotland in growing our renewables sector, but this has come in the face of a Westminster government that has been determined to pursue horrendously expensive nuclear energy at the expense of supporting renewable energy,” Robertson said. “That is the wrong approach and threatens the future of Scotland’s energy industry and the jobs that rely upon it. It is long past time for Westminster to play its full part in supporting Scotland’s renewables sector.”

Scotland is one of the richest nations in the world when it comes to renewable energy potential. The country boasts 25 per cent of all of Europe’s tidal power potential and 10 per cent of Europe’s wave potential. Onshore wind farms have recently become the biggest supplier of renewable energy, overtaking hydro power.

But as the expansion of the nuclear energy market continues, concerns have been raised over the safety of Scotland’s nuclear plants. Torness power station in East Lothian was subject to scrutiny at the weekend over the revelation a radiation leak was detected at the 27-year-old plant last month. A radiation leak was also reported at the Dounreay nuclear plant in November.