With an ever-growing increase in population, renewable energy is a top priority for every country, including ours. In Malta, being one of the most densely populated areas on earth, the use of renewable energy is even more relevant, given that energy demand is increasing on a par with population growth. Switching entirely to renewable energy should be the country's ultimate goal, where energy sources are sustainable and environment friendly. However, for an issue which is so straightforward and which should be on everyone's agenda, there seems to be a significant lack of knowledge or perhaps disinterest with regard to this important issue.
A questionnaire carried out by Nicole Vella delves into the extent to which the general public is aware and informed of renewable energy, its availability and the way forward.
The questionnaire was circulated via email to a number of recipients.
The age group varied between 18 years of age and 67 years of age. 40 % of the respondents were between 30 and 39 years of age, 27% of the respondents were between 40 years and 49 years of age, 20% were between 20 and 29 years of age whilst 13% were over 50 years of age.
Do you know what renewable energy is?
97% claim they know what renewable energy is whilst 3% of the participants were not sure what renewable energy is. The persons claiming not to be sure of what renewable energy is, were all male.
Have you ever used something which works with renewable energy?
Although the large majority claim that they are conscious of renewable energy and that they know what it is, only 63% have made use of it. Interestingly, 7% do not know whether they made use of this type of energy or not.
If yes, which of the following have you used ?
Most of the respondents have used Solar Water Heaters and Solar Panels. There was no use of other renewable energy other than some ancillary items related to solar panels.
If you've never used something that works with renewable energy, how come ?
In this question 38% of the respondents answered that the reason that they never used something that works with renewable energy is because it is too costly. 26% of those that were to reply to this question said that there are not enough incentives to do it. Another 26% of the respondents gave different reasons, the main of which was related to space availability. 5% of the respondents answered that they do not know the benefits. 5% of those that never used renewable energy answered that it does not give the same result as other forms of energy do. 2 participants said that there has not been an opportunity yet. 1 participant said that in his house he cannot install as he lives in an apartment and he has no access to the roof as it has been kept for penthouse use.
It seems that finance is the main factor that discourages people from using renewable energy. Indeed the main two reasons indicated are that it is too costly and that there are lack of incentives which together amount to 64%.
Where did you use the renewable energy ?
The participants were asked where they had used renewable energy, 50% answered home, 33% answered work and 17% answered other. A participant said that he used renewable energy at a hotel whilst another participant said that he used renewable energy at school. Another 2 participants said that they used renewable at their parents' house.
The fact that only 50% of the respondents made use of renewable energy at home is a significant factor which further confirms the replies to previous questions highlighting that finance is the main challenge. Although one is not in a position to analyse what sort of businesses the respondents work at, the amount of people that use it at work is significantly low.
Do you know about the following incentives?
When the participants were asked whether they knew about the incentives given to utilise renewable energy, 10 participants stated that they knew about the incentives referred to in the last Budget. On the other hand 15 knew about the MRA Grants and 13 knew about the Malta Enterprise grants. This means that many are still not aware of the incentives available or are not sure what they know.
If you know about them how come you did not use them?
46% of the respondents to this question replied that the incentives previously mentioned were not attractive enough. 18% answered that they were not interested while 36% specified different reasons which again related directly or indirectly to space and cost.
What would make you use renewable energy?
The participants were asked what makes them use renewable energy. Confirming further the findings through the previous questions, 60% answered that lower cost may make them use renewable energy whilst 16% seek more incentives. This means that once again finance is a major barrier for persons to use renewable energy.
On the other hand 8% are concerned with better regulation and 16% gave various reasons whereby space availability came into the equation again.
Where did you learn about renewable energy?
21% of the participants said that they learned about renewable energy from school/university, 20% said from the internet, 17% through world of mouth,15% from television/radio, 13% from the newspaper, 13% through social media and 1% from this survey. This means that various channels need to be used to disseminate information since all seem to contribute to creating awareness.
Would you like to learn more about renewable energy?
In this question the participants were asked if they would like to know more about renewable energy and 72% of the participants answered yes, 21% answered maybe and 7% said that they know it all. The majority wants to know more about renewable energy which re-enforces the initial questions within this questionnaire that indicate that persons are aware of renewable energy but are not well informed. More communication channels and simpler way of informing may be necessary.
What are the benefits of using renewable energy?
In this question, the participants were asked about the benefits of using renewable energy. 54% of the participants answered "cost effective". 30% answered "I may generate income" and 16% answered "Environmentally friendly".
This result indicates that people are aware that they may save money and generate income through renewable energy. In spite of this, they do not invest as the capital outlay may be outside their reach as indicated in the previous questions. The replies to this question further indicates how the cost element is much more important to respondents than the environmental impact.
What would you suggest to further incentives the use of Renewable Energy and to create more awareness?
This was an open ended question which generated different replies amongst which:
More financial incentives
More education and more campaigns
Better regulation re roof top access in apartments as well as solar rights
Tax polluting activities
Easier access to grants and arm's length feed in tariffs
The introduction of solar farms
Different financing schemes including lending schemes
Conclusions and
recommendations
The study reveals that the Maltese have a general idea on what renewable energy is. The study also shows that there is considerable awareness of the benefits of renewable energy. However, many are very conscious on the capital outlay needed to implement renewable energy. In fact many seek financial assistance in order to use renewable energy. A recommendation one may consider is to increase polluting taxes, the collection of which may be put in a fund which is then used to provide even more financial assistance to persons interested in renewable energy.
The study further indicates that Malta needs to update its legislation in various aspects as this is holding back the use of renewable energy. Those mainly noted in the survey were access rights and solar rights amongst others.
Information and education remain of utmost importance as clearly evident from the results as well as from the suggestions of the respondents themselves. Schools remain an important channel to create awareness due to the fact that children may be multiplier communicators. However, other channels of communication are important as well. Perhaps, simpler methods of communication will be more effective rather than too much information. Certainly, the large majority of respondents to the questionnaire seem to look for further information.