According to the results of a new poll from Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, more than half of the population across Scotland support the building of new energy transmission infrastructure to reach net zero.

Undertaken by polling company Survation on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, the survey discovered that 57% of Scots support new electricity pylons to distribute clean energy across the country, while fewer than one in five (16%) oppose.

When questioned if a community benefit — such as compensation for local residents — would increase or decrease support for the rollout of new energy transmission infrastructure, it was found that Scots supported such a suggestion by a factor of five-to-one.

The survey also highlighted that, on-balance, the Scots public recognise their importance when it comes to their voice as local communities in the delivery of national infrastructure and the decision-making that goes alongside it.

That said, with nearly 40% of the survey respondents saying they have no view on this, the Chamber of Commerce said that the survey either suggests considerable ambivalence or limited understanding in the community’s role in how large-scale electricity transmission projects are deployed.

Speaking on the survey’s results, Russell Borthwick, who’s commerce chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “These findings show that the overwhelming majority of people across Scotland understand the scale of the challenge ahead.

“Energy transition, the deployment of renewables projects onshore and offshore and the need to get clean power to market is going to require an almighty effort from industry, government, our energy workforce and communities throughout Scotland and the UK.

“The public at large back that net zero vision and support the building of the infrastructure required to get us there. Meanwhile, fewer than one in five Scots are opposed to this endeavour.

“It is, of course, vitally important to bring communities with us on that journey.

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“Those companies at the forefront of delivering net zero generally are, and must continue to be, mindful of their neighbours, minimising environmental impacts wherever possible and ensuring that sustainable benefits are created for the long term in partnership with communities.

“Balancing these concerns with a national imperative to deliver net zero won’t always be straightforward, but it’s absolutely vital that we get it right, so that Scotland can continue to be a world-leader in clean energy – creating job opportunities and growing our economy in the process.”