Energy literacy study highlights support for renewable energy developments across Atlantic Canada

Source: | · ATLANTICA CENTRE FOR ENERGY · | October 15, 2024

Today, the Atlantica Centre for Energy released results of its study of the level of energy literacy across Atlantic Canada’s general population.

The Energy Literacy Benchmark Study for Atlantic Canada project, conducted with Narrative Research, includes a survey of the general population, interviews and a survey of small and medium-sized business leaders to understand the level of knowledge as it relates to energy in the Atlantic region.

“As Canada moves toward a net zero economy the types of energy and technologies Atlantic residents and businesses use will change,” said Michelle Robichaud, President of the Atlantic Centre for Energy. “We conducted this study to better understand what information residents and businesses need to help accomplish the region’s energy transition goals.”

For the General Population Survey, a total of 1,224 interviews were completed with 415 residents in New Brunswick, 407 in Nova Scotia, 256 from Newfoundland and Labrador and 146 from Prince Edward Island. The survey was available in both English and French.

The Study has the goal of identifying where the gaps in knowledge are most prevalent.

It was identified there is a need for more information from trusted sources to be made available to the public with only 25 per cent of respondents giving themselves high ratings for knowledge of different types of energy used in their province.

Generally, Atlantic Canadians have a basic understanding of the energy used in their province, but could have a better appreciation for the impact energy has and will continue to have on the region’s economy.

The General Population Survey also found a majority of Atlantic Canadians have no reservations about energy developments near their communities, especially for renewable energy projects. There is strong agreement that new sources of energy need to be built in the next 10 years, with a majority saying it is critically important to do so.