Two-thirds of Albertans want more renewable energy in their communities
MEDIA RELEASE
CALGARY — New polling released today by the Business Renewables Centre - Canada shows that 66% of Albertans want more wind and solar projects developed in or near their own communities, and the same proportion believes the provincial government should be doing more to encourage emissions-free energy sources in the province.
BRC-Canada commissioned the study from Probe Research. The research was conducted between April 27 and May 6, 2026, with a representative sample of 1,484 Alberta adults.
Support for more local renewable energy development holds across virtually every demographic group surveyed. Among 18 to 34-year-olds, support rises to 75%. Even in rural Alberta, where most renewable projects are actually built, a majority, 59%, say they want to see more wind and solar developed near where they live.
Polling data methodology
Probe Research conducted an online survey with a representative sample of 1,484 Alberta adults between April 27 and May 6, 2026. This included an oversample of 598 Calgary adults. The sample was weighted by age, gender, region, and educational attainment to reflect Alberta's population based on Census data. Because an online survey is a sample of convenience, no margin of error can be ascribed. For comparison purposes, a probabilistic sample of 1,484 would carry a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Quotes
"The story that Albertans don't want renewable energy, especially in rural communities, just doesn't hold up against this data. A majority of rural Albertans say they want more wind and solar developed near where they live. These are the communities that would actually host renewable projects, and they're excited to see more."
"Corporate buyers across Canada are actively looking for places to source clean power, and Alberta has enormous potential to meet that demand. Polling like this matters because it tells developers, investors and the companies looking to sign long-term renewable energy agreements that the communities they'd be working with are on board. Public support is one piece of the puzzle. Now we need the policy to match it."
— Jorden Dye, Director, Business Renewables Centre - Canada
Background
Results: Alberta's Views on Climate and Energy
Blog: Alberta's Energy Majority: Most Albertans Are Energy Transition YIMBYs