While German politicians are warning against the Polish construction of a nuclear facility, as many as 47 percent of Poles think that there should be a nuclear plant in the country, while almost the same number, 46 percent, are against such an investment.

A survey by SMG/KRC, conducted after the first explosion at Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, showed that Poles’ attitude towards nuclear energy has almost remained unchanged since 2008, when 42 percent of Poles supported the construction of nuclear plant in Poland and 48 percent opposed it.

According to the recent poll, mostly men remain supporters of a nuclear plant in Poland. 64 percent of male citizens of Poland are in favour, while 59 percent of female citizens are against a nuclear plant being built in the country.

Most supporters of nuclear energy are university graduates who live in large cities (69 percent). Poles over 60 years old are mainly against the construction of a nuclear plant (64 percent) and those between 25 and 34 years old in favour of it (54 percent).

As many as 38 percent of Poles who support the construction of a nuclear plant would agree to live within a radius of 100 kilometres from it and 38 percent said they would “rather” agree.

German worries?

Meanwhile, Matthias Platzeck, the Minister President of the German Federal Land of Brandenburg, which directly borders Poland, has appealed to the Polish government to review their nuclear options by “coming to conclusions which are reflected by ongoing events.”

Talking to the German Der Tagesspiegel daily, Platzeck voiced his concern about Poland’s plan to go nuclear, saying “I hope our Polish neighbours will come to the right conclusions.”

On Tuesday morning, the Minister President continued his thoughts by telling the regional RBB radio broadcaster that nuclear energy is not the right means of energy production for humanity.

Additionally, Berlin senate spokesman Richard Meng announced that “nuclear energy is not a solution,” adding that due to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan, Germany should drop its nuclear programme, with Poland shelving its nuclear aspirations.

Poland unlikely to give up nuclear plans

However, Poland will not resign from its nuclear programme, deputy economy minister Hanna Trojanowska has said.

Speaking in Brussels, Tuesday, Trojanowska, who is in charge of Poland’s nuclear efforts, said that “we are determined to continue with this programme,” adding that the country is monitoring the situation and that the construction of the proposed plant in Poland would be in line with the highest safety standards.

The Deputy Economy Minister made her remarks during an emergency meeting of EU energy ministers due to the blasts seen at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.

At the meeting, Trojanowska underlined that the decision to continue with the programme comes as Poland wants to increase its energy security, and that the construction of the plant is a foregone conclusion as the country needs to reduce CO2 emissions to keep in line with EU regulations.

According to government plans on nuclear energy, the proposed plant will have an output of 3,000 MW. The final location for the plant is to be chosen in 2013. Three years later construction is to start, with reactors going online by 2020. (jb/mg)

Source: IAR/PAP/TVN24