The survey, of 400 senior executives from high tech manufacturing, found 84 per cent of respondents doubted the affordability of the policy; 62 per cent saw a threat to security of supply; while 46 per cent were concerned about carbon emissions. Almost half of those surveyed anticipated energy price shocks and were considering investment in onsite generation and improvements in energy efficiency. Insulation and solar PV were top of the wish list.
Two thirds of respondents who had noticed an impact from energy policy said it had been detrimental to their business.
Fewer than one in five respondents were positive about the current economic situation in the UK with nearly two thirds predicting the economic outlook to stay the same or get worse in 2013.