The argument that is sceptical regarding conservation, i.e. energy problems cannot be solved by energy conservation, is now advocated about as much (45%) as opposed (40%). Measured in this way, the belief in the possibilities of conservation has not changed significantly from the previous measurements.

In the longer term, the same systematics as in the development of growth expectations can be detected in attitudes towards energy conservation. Positive attitudes towards conservation increased gradually for several years in the early 90s (conservation is one virtue which is particularly characteristic of a recession period), until the trend broke in 1994 and they were immediately restored close to the level of the 80s. Since then, attitudes have remained virtually stable for eleven years [Figure 19.].

Although energy saving is not seen as the solution to energy problems, many believe it to be a partial solution. The demand for more efficient energy conservation instead of building new power plants is accepted by more than one in two (59%). The proportion has slightly increased on the previous year when the figures were the lowest in the entire follow-up period in view of conservation (54%). This means that the downward trend recorded in a few previous measurements (2000-2003) indicating a gradual fading in the demands for conservation has now broken. The underlying reason for the declining trend may have been the earlier threat of the sufficiency of electricity and the debate over further construction of nuclear power emphasising that we need new production capacity, one way or another. Despite the varying opinions, the support for conservation in principle has continued to be strong at all stages [Figure 20.].

However, conservation is not favoured at any price - literally - even on the level of principle. The claim borrowed from the nuclear debate, that cheap energy is a bad thing because it knocks the bottom out of energy conservation and thus increases the environmental load, is not widely supported (28% agree). The result has not changed significantly from the previous measurement (27% in favour, no figure). The claim that increasing the price of electricity is the only efficient way to promote electricity saving has been equally unpopular for several years (no figure; the meter was not included in the current research material).