A new survey highlights a growing appetite among the British public for the UK to emerge as a global leader in renewable energy and green technology innovation.
Conducted by Opinium for the Manchester Prize, the findings show a strong majority of people backing UK renewable energy initiatives to position the nation as a “clean energy superpower.”
Professor Paul Monks, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Manchester Prize judge, explained: “Earlier this month, the government published its groundbreaking Clean Power Action Plan, embarking on a new era of clean electricity.
“A vital part of this is ensuring we have an energy system capable of meeting the country’s needs.
“Artificial intelligence (AI) can help us develop and engineer more effective energy systems. Manchester Prize funding is a chance for our country’s innovators to help make Britain more energy secure, protect households, bring skilled jobs and tackle the climate crisis.”
Public wants the UK to lead in renewable energy
The survey revealed that 64% of respondents want the UK to become a clean energy superpower, and 65% support the nation’s ambition to produce surplus renewable energy to export to other countries, reflecting a strong desire for energy independence and economic opportunity.
Environmental leadership was also a recurring theme, with 34% of participants expressing a wish for the UK to play a more prominent role in global efforts to achieve net zero.
Additionally, 39% believe that the next five years are critical for the UK to outpace other major economies in green technology development.
AI and green tech: A winning combination
AI is seen as a pivotal tool in accelerating UK renewable energy goals. According to the survey, 42% of people believe countries investing in AI today will enjoy significant advantages over the next decade.
Almost half of the respondents (47%) think the UK should prioritise developing domestic AI technologies, signalling strong public support for innovative approaches to energy challenges.
More than a third of respondents expressed interest in AI solutions that could reduce renewable energy production costs (36%), lower dependence on imported energy (36%), and enhance energy efficiency in homes (33%).
The Manchester Prize: Driving innovation for net zero
The Manchester Prize, funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, aims to incentivise groundbreaking AI-driven solutions to advance clean energy and net zero goals.
Delivered by Challenge Works, this prestigious multi-million-pound competition is now in its second year.
In spring 2025, up to 10 promising projects will receive £100,000 in seed funding and additional support to refine their solutions. The ultimate prize, a £1 million award, will be granted in 2026 to the most impactful innovation.
Solutions vying for the Manchester Prize must demonstrate how AI can scale clean energy adoption, optimise energy systems, or significantly reduce energy demand. Although the competition requires UK-led teams, it welcomes collaboration with global innovators and experts.
UK Minister for AI, Feryal Clark MP, added: “As set out in our Plan for Change, our mission is to make the UK a clean energy superpower.
“We are securing homegrown energy, protecting billpayers, and driving progress towards achieving clean power by 2030 while accelerating the UK’s path to net zero.
“We are deploying every tool in the box to reach this goal, not least through the Manchester Prize, which supports game-changing advances in AI to deliver real change for communities across the country.”
A renewable future within reach
With public support for renewable energy and green innovation rising, the UK has an unprecedented opportunity to lead the global transition to net zero.
By leveraging AI and fostering homegrown talent, initiatives like the Manchester Prize could pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
UK renewable energy ambitions are not just a matter of meeting climate targets – they represent a vision for global leadership, economic growth, and environmental stewardship.
