A poll conducted by Kantar Emor in August shows that Estonian people support the consideration of Fermi Energia's planned small reactor. "The total number of 'yes' and 'rather yes' respondents is 69%, the strongest level of support since the survey began in 2019.
To the question "Are you in favour of considering the use of a new generation of small nuclear power plants to ensure Estonia's security of electricity supply?" 38% answered "yes", 31% "rather yes", 11% "rather no" and only 9% "no". 11% of the respondents did not know their position on this question.
"Compared to the results of the poll conducted in January this year, the share of strong supporters has increased, while the share of those with no position and those against has continued to fall. This year, people's views on energy issues have been strongly influenced by the painful increase in energy prices and issues related to security of supply, which are also reflected in the results of the survey," said Mihkel Loide, Communications Manager at Fermi Energia.
Kantar Emor conducts the survey, commissioned by Fermi Energia, twice a year, and in addition to considering the establishment of a small-scale electricity sector, it also asks respondents about their preferences for the development of electricity generation in the light of the reduction of shale-based electricity production. The most favoured types of CO2-free generation are wind (62%), solar (58%) and a new generation of small nuclear power plants (55%). The use of shale fuels is clearly less favoured, with 26% in favour of developing shale electricity generation alongside oil production, 15% in favour of using wood chips and 12% in favour of burning natural gas.
This year's survey also asked whether the outbreak of war in Ukraine had an impact on attitudes towards the construction of small reactors in Estonia. Of the 40% who have been in favour so far, no effect was observed and they are more in favour of the enidelt, while 16% are more in favour. 13% of current respondents remain opposed and 5% are now less in favour. 26% selected the "don't know" option.
Fermi Energia is an energy company created by Estonian nuclear scientists and entrepreneurs that is developing the deployment of a new generation of small reactors in Estonia to ensure low-carbon, affordable, climate-independent electricity generation.