Eighty percent of Bermudians questioned in a Government survey believe in a public duty to cut energy use to avoid having to expand Belco, results of a survey released yesterday show.

Minister of Energy Michael Scott unveiled the Department of Energy's first public opinion survey on energy in Bermuda at a press conference yesterday. Targeting 401 Bermudian households, the study was commissioned several months ago to assess local attitudes to renewable energy and energy efficient technologies.

The findings showed:

* Almost one in six Bermudians favour nuclear power.

* More than half of those questioned agreed with wind farms off Bermuda's coast.

* Eighty percent believe in a public duty to cut energy use to avoid expanding Belco.

* Eighty-six percent expect oil prices to rise in the future.

Yesterday Mr. Scott said there has not yet been an significant influx of individuals using Government rebates to purchase solar energy units.

The economic recovery was probably having an impact on decisions, he said, but awareness would grow organically as people noticed solar units in their neighbourhoods.

"I have visited a number of homes of frontiersmen and frontierswomen," he said. "Neighbours will learn from them."

Discussing the "energy mission and vision for the country", Mr. Scott noted a few surprises, saying: "On an aesthetic level, we did not see a great deal of objection to solar panels on roofs."

He said he had expected "howls of protest at the beginning, but saw the reverse. The blue panels of solar water heaters, he said, did not seem out of place with the blue of swimming pools and the sea.

And, he said: "Interestingly, a low level—14 percent—favoured a nuclear power station."

However, he added, waste concerns and the issue of living near any such plant were significant objections seen in the survey.

Other survey findings showed that 57 percent of residents are open to the use of offshore wind turbines, with the caveat that they be located several miles out to sea.

Only 39 percent support residential turbines. Noise and space were significant concerns.

Oil use and alternatives to oil comprise a portion of the survey. Eighty percent of those surveyed link the price of oil to the price of electricity; two thirds link oil costs to the price of goods and services.

Most of us continue to use private cars to get to work, and 71 percent would feel unsafe using a pedal bike because of the driving habits of other road users.

In verbal responses to the survey, the old issue of harnessing the flow of water through Flatts Bridge remains on the public mind, though the option is not considered feasible.

"The survey results are an important resource for the Department of Energy with respect to policy directions and development," Mr. Scott said, "and they also provide the public with insight on multiple aspects of the local energy market.

"For example, 70 percent of those surveyed are in favour of solar panels on Bermuda roofs and only 60 percent are aware that the Tynes Bay Waste Facility generates electricity."

The survey also exposed a need for better communication between retailers and consumers, the Minister said, inviting members of the public to view the survey results online at www.energy.gov.bm.

A Bermuda Energy Green Paper is also available, but in coming months a White Paper will be discussed only on a consultative basis with key members of the industry.