Results of opinion poll carried out by TNS Polska in April/May 2015
Major conclusions
- Support for the first Polish NPP build, also in immediate vicinity, among the residents of location communes of Choczewo, Gniewino and Krokowa is subject to periodical fluctuations, however, it invariably stays at a high level.
- The residents see the potential of the investment, which may offer considerable benefits such as cheaper electricity, new jobs and commune investments. At the same time they are aware that the benefits may spread over time and only be noticed by their children or grandchildren.
- What is more, the results of the poll show that the fears of the respondents connected to NPP build, concerning predominantly the risk of accident, do not change.
- Still, what transpires is a strong need for informational and education activities in potential locations and their surroundings, though it reduced from the time of holding the last poll.
Detailed data
Support for the investment
- Notwithstanding periodical changes in the level of support for the investment, still the majority of location commune residents supports the NPP build in the vicinity of their place of residence (Choczewo – 71%, Gniewino – 72%, Krokowa – 66%).
- The support for the investment among Tricity dwellers remains at a relatively stable level a little short of 50%. In the new survey 48% of the Tricity respondents declare support for the execution of such investment plans in the vicinity.
Level of knowledge and investment significance
- The declared level of knowledge on the investment in the commune locations is very similar to the level of support for the NPP and equals 54% in Krokowa, 62% in Choczewo and 67% in Gniewino.
- Residents of location communes unalterably treat NPP build as an important and interesting matter. Respondents from Choczewo (68%), Gniewino (56%) and Krokowa (47%) declare that it is a topic of discussion with friends, family and other residents.
- The respondents also acknowledge the need to conduct and keep performing information-education activities in the scope of nuclear power industry and the principles of NPP operation. About 70% of location commune dwellers agrees with such statement (Krokowa – 71%, Choczewo – 71%, Gniewino – 69%).
Investment-related benefits
- Among the benefits connected with NPP build the respondents point to, above all, cheaper electricity, opportunity of new jobs creation, commune development and new commune investments.
- Also, location communes residents see the long-term potential of the investment. Among the benefits which children and grandchildren will be able to reap, to cap cheaper electricity and attractive jobs, they indicate higher standard of living in the commune, good education or an opportunity to develop their own business.
Jobs creation in the commune
- One of the main benefits connected with the NPP build, to which location commune respondents draw attention, is development of the local job market. The majority of Choczewo residents (67%) and half the Krokowa residents is of the opinion that following NPP build the overall number of jobs for commune residents will increase in the commune where the plant will be built. So thinks 38% of Gniewino residents. For 52% respondents from Gniewino, attractive jobs is also one of the key benefits for children and grandchildren that is linked to building the facility.19% of respondents from Choczewo and 47% of the respondents from Krokowa share this view.
- The respondents also notice that the appearance of a NPP in the vicinity may be the answer to the seasonal nature of work at the Polish seaside. With regard to a statement that the investment will give the residents an opportunity to earn throughout the year 52% of Choczewo residents, 72% of Gniewino residents and 60% of Krokowa residents support it.
Fears related to a NPP
- As in previous polls, the biggest threat connected with the investment is, according to the respondents, the risk of accident – this is what the dwellers of Tricity (67%), Choczewo (57%), Krokowa (47%) and Gniewino (41%) fear the most. It is well worth remembering though that the level of knowledge is in this case inversely proportional and amounts to but 24% in Tricity, whereas in e.g. Gniewino, where the declared level of knowledge reaches 67%, as much as 48% of the residents does not see any threats concerning NPP build. It goes to show what important function is fulfilled by education in the field of allaying the fears related to the investment.
- Moreover, the respondents asked of threats connected to NPP build draw attention to the problems with storing spent fuel and radioactive waste, high costs of investment and a drop in the tourist appeal of the commune. Simultaneously, there is a group of people who do not see any threats connected with building a NPP at all. Such approach is most conspicuous in Gniewino where 48% of residents does not voice any fears relating to the investment. This is also where the investment enjoys the greatest support.
Impact of the NPP on tourism
- The influence of the nuclear power plant on tourism is first and foremost the concern about a drop in prices of holidays by the Polish sea. However, at the same time, the respondents take heed to the circumstance that a NPP may be an attraction for tourists from Poland and abroad and may serve as a magnet for school trips.
Information on the survey
- Survey conducted by TNS Polska in April/May 2015 on request of PGE EJ 1.
- In the Pomeranian voivodeship the survey was carried out in the potential first NPP build locations and select neighbouring communes: Choczewo, Gniewino, Krokowa, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot.
- In the communes where the poll was held there have been conducted, respectively:
- Krokowa commune – 602 interviews,
- Choczewo commune – 603 interviews,
- Gniewino commune – 253 interviews,
- Tricity – 401 interviews.
- The poll was carried out using a direct interview method.
- The interviews were conducted with permanent residents of the surveyed communes, to the exclusion of visitors.
- The results are representative of individual communes and cities, and cannot be interpreted to describe whole regions.
- Analogous research was conducted in previous years, twice a year, starting May 2011.
