Public Acceptance of Renewable Energy in a Post-Socialist, Energy Import-Dependent Context: Evidence from Hungary

Public acceptance is a key prerequisite for renewable energy deployment, yet evidence from post-socialist, energy import-dependent countries remains limited, and acceptance is often treated as a single construct. This study examines Hungary and distinguishes between (i) general societal support for renewable energy and (ii) individual-level commitment to adoption. Using an online survey conducted in October–November 2024 (N = 417), we test for an acceptance gap and assess attitudinal drivers with paired-sample t-tests, OLS regression, and cluster-based comparisons. Results show a significant acceptance gap: general societal support exceeds individual-level commitment (mean difference = 0.17 on a three-point scale; Cohen’s d = 0.36; p < 0.001). In bivariate terms, perceived economic benefits exhibit only a weak association with acceptance, but in multivariate models they emerge as a strong predictor of individual-level commitment (β = 0.600; R2 = 0.407), whereas environmental attitudes and energy security perceptions show weaker and non-significant independent effects. Cluster analysis further indicates heterogeneous attitudinal profiles and varying levels of acceptance, suggesting that economic evaluations operate as an enabling dimension within broader attitudinal configurations rather than a standalone driver. These findings highlight why broad societal endorsement may not translate into personal engagement and imply that policy strategies should complement general pro-renewable narratives with measures that address perceived feasibility and individual-level costs and uncertainties.