PGE EJ1 periodically surveys the attitude of residents of the site communes towards an NPP built in their vicinity. The results of the most recent surveys show that as much as 69% of residents that live in the site communes support the construction of an NPP in Poland, up from 67% last year.
This news presents the summary of results of the opinion survey conducted upon Company’s request by PBS between November through December 2018 among the representative sample of respondents in the site communes, i.e. Choczewo, Gniewino and Krokowa.
Key conclusions:
Support for the investment
- 66% of the residents of site communes are supportive of an NPP built in their vicinity.
- The support for an NPP built in Poland has reached 69% among the residents of site communes, up from 67% last year.
- Support for the construction of an NPP in the vicinity has remained stable since the last time survey was conducted, however the attitude of residents towards locating such an investment near their homes has improved. Number of people declaring themselves as strong opponents of such an investment has declined (flow towards the group of moderate opponents).
- More and more local residents who do not support the construction of an NPP in Poland feel inclined to change their mind provided an NPP helps to limit adverse effects of climate change, boost energy security of Poland and if the power plant is constructed with utmost care for safety (every fifth respondent).
- Main drivers of NPP construction support are new jobs, development opportunities for the site communes and cheaper electricity.
- 78% of respondents (indicating towards: I somewhat agree, I strongly agree) find that Poland needs an NPP because current power generation sources do not suffice to meet the energy demand of the country.
Opinions on the Support Program for the Development of Site Communes (SPDSC)
Program aims to finance or co-finance initiatives that are important to residents of the site communes and development of the region.
- Support Program for the Development of Site Communes has gathered popular support – four out of every five local residents say it is important for their community (79%).
- In the future, the residents of site communes would like the Program to support projects related to general development of the commune (17%), infrastructure (roads, pavements, lightning, sewage system) (15%), education, schools, nurseries and kindergartens (14%), new jobs and support to local businesses (12%).
Knowledge on nuclear power in site communes
- Almost half the respondents have noticed that information points providing information on nuclear power operate in their vicinity. Every fourth resident of the site commune has visited the information point.
- People who have been to the information point have positive opinion about the experience – 89%, 20% of whom see it as “extremely good”.
- Every fourth resident of the communes under survey considers their knowledge on nuclear power “good” or “very good” (27%).
- The most widespread source of knowledge on nuclear power are, invariably, opinions of family and friends (28%) and Internet (17%).
- 60% of residents of the communes under survey have heard about “Świadomie o atomie” – educational program run by PGE EJ1.
- Residents of the site communes show no preference for any source of information on the construction of a nuclear power plant. They consider all indicated sources (opinions of others, Internet, TV, press, radio, school or university studies) useful.
Impact of the NPP on the life of the residents
- Every fourth respondent (24%) has talked about the construction of an NPP in their vicinity within the last few months.
- Such discussions take place within the family (62%), among friends and acquaintances (50%). 17% declare they talk about an NPP built at work.
- Every second resident of site communes thinks that upon construction of an NPP, there will be more jobs available in the region (51%).
Future benefits from the investment
- Respondents are aware that construction of an NPP translates into development opportunities for local businesses.
- 43% of respondents have positive connotations with nuclear power and point out that upon construction of an NPP electric energy would be cheaper for them, which they see as a benefit.
- 42% respondents have said that construction would be beneficial to the development of the commune and 29% indicated the benefits in the form of infrastructure development.
- The respondents see the commune where the NPP is to be constructed and its residents as main beneficiaries of the NPP construction (17%), but they also say Polish politicians (16%), energy producers (14%) and businesses in charge of the NPP construction (14%) will benefit as well.
Institutions involved in the NPP built in Poland
- This year, already every fourth resident of the site communes (24%) names PGE EJ1 as the company involved in the NPP construction, while 19% name PGE Capital Group in general.
- Polish government remains to be the most frequently quoted institution responsible for the NPP built.
Information on the survey
- The objective of the study was to verify the support for NPP built in the site communes.
- Survey was conducted by PBS between November through December 2018, upon order by PGE EJ1.
- Survey was conducted in the potential sites for the first Polish NPP built, i.e. in Choczewo, Gniewino and Krokowa communes.
- In the communes under survey (n= 1217) the following were conducted:
– Krokowa commune – 517 interviews
– Choczewo commune – 500 interviews
– Gniewino commune – 200 interviews
- Survey was conducted as CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing).
- Interviews were conducted in the place of residence of the respondent.
