How the facets of energy security impact the support for energy sources: Evidence from UK households

Using UK household data, we examine empirically how different facets of energy security, energy vulnerability, affordability, reliability and imports dependency impact the support for three different energy sources: renewables, nuclear and shale gas extraction. We find that each facet can have a differential impact in the probability of support for each energy source and in general, as energy security concerns decline, households are becoming less likely to support each energy source, however, the effects are larger for nuclear and shale gas compared to renewables. Our findings are robust to potential endogeneity concerns which are addressed by using instrumental variables. The above results may serve as valuable evidence for policy appraisal, providing policymakers with insights into the varying impacts of different aspects of energy security when formulating future energy policies aimed at achieving net-zero targets. • This study explores the nuanced effects of energy security in four critical dimensions: vulnerability, affordability, reliability, and dependence on imports. • Generally, support for all energy sources declines as concerns about energy vulnerability diminish. • Energy affordability plays a minimal role, affecting only the support for shale gas, while renewables and nuclear energy are left largely untouched. • Improved energy reliability slightly boosts support for renewables, but significantly dampens support for nuclear and shale gas. • Concerns over imports dependency increase support for nuclear energy and shale gas, but have a much weaker effect on renewables.