Poland's energy policy plans include operating nuclear power plants from about 2025 as it moves away from its current heavy dependence on coal and imported gas. Utility Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) plans to install around 3000 MWe of nuclear capacity at one of three potential sites.
The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM's) carried out a research earlier this year interviewing a random, representative sample of 1000 Polish citizens. 64% of the respondents were supporting Polish plans for a nuclear power plant construction. The level of support registered by PISM's study is significantly higher than that seen in previous polls.
According to PISM, the current political crisis in Ukraine is the most likely reason behind the apparent Polish surge in nuclear popularity. Although Polish insecurities over Russia's actions in the Crimean peninsula peaked in March 2014, "even now more than half the Polish population still believes that the persisting crisis in Ukraine poses a threat to Poland's security," PISM states.
Some 63% of those in favour of the nuclear option said they would support investment in nuclear capacity for Poland even if the country could meet its energy demand by buying low-priced power from its neighbours. However, PISM warns, the high level of public support cannot be guaranteed long-term.
-tk-