In January, Kantar Emor and Norstat carried out public opinion surveys commissioned by Fermi Energia. This was the eighth Kantar Emor survey since 2019. Norstat, on the other hand, polled for the first time the residents of the municipalities of Viru-Nigula and Lüganuse, which Fermi Energia considers to be the most potential locations for a nuclear power plant.
Kantar Emor's survey showed that 61% of the respondents are in favour or rather in favour of considering the use of a new generation of small nuclear power plants to ensure Estonia's security of electricity supply, 17% are against or rather against and 23% did not have a clear position on this issue. More specifically, 34% say "yes" to considering a nuclear power plant and 27% "rather yes". The proportion of those against nuclear power plant weighing continues to decline. 10% of respondents are rather against and 7% are definitely against nuclear power plant weighing.
Compared to previous surveys, the proportion of "don't know" respondents is the highest, which, according to the research firm, may be due to the pre-election period, when there is more talk of building a nuclear power plant and electricity prices have fallen.
Respondents who were in favour of considering a nuclear power plant, i.e. 'yes' and 'rather yes', were also asked whether they would support a nuclear power plant near their home. 15% would definitely support, 49% would rather support, 17% would rather not support and 5% would definitely not support. 14% could not give an opinion.
When asked to rank the types of electricity generation that should be developed in Estonia, wind, nuclear and solar continued to stand out from more expensive and polluting forms of generation such as natural gas, wood chips and shale electricity alongside oil.
The questionnaire also asked to assess the pros and cons of developing a small modular reactor. The main advantages are security of electricity supply in all weathers and lower electricity prices, while the main risk is the safe storage of nuclear waste.
The Kantar Emor survey also showed that voters from virtually all the political parties participating in the elections are more likely to support the consideration of a small nuclear power plant.
In the Kanar Emor survey, a supplementary question was asked of those who were in favour and those who were more in favour, "If you support the consideration of a new generation small reactor nuclear power plant, would you also support its construction close to where you live?". A total of 64% thought they would be in favour or rather in favour of a nuclear power plant near their home.
A door-to-door survey in the municipalities of Viru-Nigula in West-Viru County and Norstat in the municipality of Lüganuse in Ida-Viru County showed that 50% of the residents of these municipalities are in favour or rather in favour of a new generation small nuclear power plant in their municipality and 32% are against or rather against. The percentages of support are quite similar in both municipalities. In both municipalities, the availability of information on the activities of Fermi Energia, which is planning to build a small reactor nuclear power plant in Estonia, was rated as easily available - 42% answered yes or rather yes and only 9% answered no or rather no. On the other hand, 27% of the respondents did not feel interested in the topic and 23% could not assess the availability of information.
Fermi Energia will conduct public opinion polls to assess support for considering a new generation of small reactor nuclear power plants, starting in 2019, twice a year.