Results of the opinion survey conducted by PBS Sp. z o.o.from October to November 2019
Key conclusions:
- Support for the construction of the first nuclear power plant (NPP) in Poland among the residents of site communes (Choczewo, Gniewino and Krokowa) has been consistently growing and is now at 71% (up from 69% in 2018).
- The majority of residents of site communes (67%) have upheld their support for the NPP construction in their vicinity.
- The Support Program for the Development of Site Communes has continued to be positively evaluated by residents – four out of every five respondents believe that it is important for the local community (82%).
- 67% of residents of site communes think that completion of the NPP will bring more jobs to the region.
- Strong demand continues to be observed for information and educational activities in the potential site areas – 76% of respondents indicate such a need.
Detailed information
Support for the investment:
- Support of residents of site communes for the NPP construction in Poland has been consistently rising in recent years and has totalled 71%. The majority of respondents favours the implementation of such an investment project (Choczewo – 68%, Gniewino – 91%, Krokowa – 60%). Support for the NPP construction in Poland remains slightly higher among younger and better educated people.
- Support of the residents of site communes for the NPP construction in their immediate vicinity remains at a high level of 67% (Choczewo – 64%, Gniewino – 87%, Krokowa – 55%).
- The main drivers of support for the construction include new jobs (35%), development opportunities for the site commune (20%) and cheaper electricity (18%).
- The concerns that are most frequently voiced by the respondents in relation to the implementation of such an investment project include fear about health and life (30%), risk of a power plant failure (30%) and harmful impact of such an investment project on the environment and people (18%).
- 67% of respondents believe that Poland needs a nuclear power plant because the present sources are insufficient to satisfy demand for energy in the country.
Opinions on the Support Program for the Development of Site Communes (SPDSC) and PGE EJ 1:
- Recognition of the Program has been continually growing. At present, 58% of respondents confirm that they know SPDSC (an increase by 8 p.p. in comparison to last year). Awareness of the Program grows along with the level of education while it is lower among the youngest and the oldest respondents.
- The Support Program for the Development of Site Communes is invariably positively evaluated by residents – four out of every five respondents believe it is important for the local community (82%) – (up by 3 p.p. as compared to 2018).
- 40% of residents asked about the utilisation of the Program budget suggest first of all investments in infrastructure (roads, pavements, lighting, sewage system, water treatment plant, etc.).
- In this survey iteration, the assessment of PGE EJ 1 is slightly better than in Autumn 2018: it is considered an honest, friendly, reliable, fair and solid company which keeps inhabitants regularly informed about its undertakings, which supports the region and is competent.
Knowledge on nuclear power in site communes:
- Nine out of every ten inhabitants of the communes surveyed (91%) have heard about plans to construct an NPP in Poland (Choczewo 93%, Gniewino 88%, Krokowa 93%).
- 40% of the surveyed residents of site communes consider their knowledge on nuclear power “good” or “very good”. A subjective assessment of the level of knowledge of residents is higher by 13 p.p. than in the previous edition of the survey.
- The most widespread sources of knowledge on nuclear power include the Internet (41%), opinions of friends or family (25%), and television, radio, press (21%).
- This year, as many as three out of every four residents (76%) see the need to conduct educational and information activities regarding nuclear energy and the rules of operation of nuclear power plants. It is a major increase in expectations in this respect (by 20 p.p.) in comparison to the previous edition of the survey.
- Nearly one in three residents of site communes has already visited the Local Information Point. Residents of the Gniewino commune have continued to most frequently declare their visits to such a point (44%). Information points are more frequently visited by persons having at least secondary education.
- Persons who have been to the information points, continue to consider them good – 89% of respondents assess the point positively, every third person (29%) gives an extremely high score.
Impact of the NPP on the life of the residents:
- Every third respondent (33%) has, in recent months preceding the survey, discussed the NPP construction in the vicinity of their place of residence – increase by 9 p.p. in comparison to last year.
- Such discussions take place primarily within the family (64%) or among friends and acquaintances (61%). 17% of the surveyed declare they talk about an NPP construction with other residents of the commune.
- 67% of residents of site communes think that upon construction of an NPP there will be more jobs available in the region (growth by 16 p.p. as compared to 2018).
Information about the survey:
The survey was conducted using a CAPI technique (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing).
The objective of the survey was to verify the support for the NPP construction in the site communes.
The survey was commissioned by PGE EJ 1 and conducted by PBS from October to November 2019.
The survey was conducted in the potential sites for the first Polish NPP construction, that is in the so-called site communes: Choczewo, Gniewino, and Krokowa.
In the communes under survey (n= 1200), the following numbers of interviews were conducted: Choczewo commune – 500 interviews, Gniewino commune – 200 interviews, Krokowa commune – 500 interviews.
