Poles and Belgians See Nuclear Energy As Necessary Low-Carbon Source

Recent opinion polls in two EU Countries, Poland and Belgium, highlighted strong support for nuclear energy as a proven and effective low-carbon source to reduce CO2 and to mitigate climate change.

 

Poland

The Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment published today (15th December) the results of a survey asking citizens for their opinions on nuclear energy and its possible deployment in Poland in the coming decade.

1. Would be for or against the construction of NPPs in Poland? 

74% of respondents support the deployment of nuclear energy in Poland, recording an 11% increase on the previous survey. 20% remain against.

 

2. Would be for or against the construction of NPPs near your residence?

The majority of respondents (58%) support locating a nuclear power plant in the neighborhood, increasing by 12% compared to the previous year.
39% don’t support this solution.

 

3. Is the construction of NPPs a good way to fight climate change?

78% of Poles believe that the construction of new NPPs is a good way to fight climate change, as nuclear energy is a low-carbon source. This percentage increased by 8% on the previous survey.

 

4. Is the construction of NPPs a good way to ensure the country’s energy security? 

82% of respondents believe that the construction of a nuclear power plant in Poland is a good way to increase the country’s energy security (+9% compared to the previous year).

Belgium

Last Monday, the Belgian newspaper Le Soir published an opinion poll on citizens’ opinions about the country’s nuclear phaseout, planned by 2025.

33% of respondents ask for investments in new (small) nuclear power plants (indicating SMRs and microreactors), with a peak of 35% in the Flanders.

30% ask for extending the operation of the two youngest reactors and completing the nuclear phaseout in a second moment.

All in all, more than 60% of interviewees, even with different perspectives, currently recognize the key role of nuclear for energy transition and decarbonisation.

Only 15% of respondents support the immediate nuclear phaseout, with a peak of 24% in the Brussels Region.

Several reports already warned that Belgium’s planned nuclear phaseout by 2025 is expected to increase the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and energy imports.