Fakushima nuclear plant after tsunami; photo - EPA/PAP

Poles might have a chance to decide for themselves if they want a nuclear power plant to be built in the country in a nationwide referendum, informs Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

“We don’t rule out a referendum on nuclear energy. Without social acceptance this kind of investment makes no sense,” said PM Donald Tusk, Wednesday, following the tsunami which crashed into Japan, crippling the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

“We shouldn’t panic, however,” added Tusk. “The nuclear threat in Japan resulted from a powerful earthquake and tsunami, not a [technical] breakdown.”

Poland plans to build two nuclear power plants, the first to be ready by 2020, in an attempt to reduce the nation’s reliance on Russian oil and gas and to fall in line with EU regulations on reducing carbon emissions. Currently Poland receives 90 percent of its electricity supply from coal.

Prime Minister Tusk expressed confidence that the government could win a referendum on nuclear energy should one be held.

 “I have the impression that the majority of Poles would support modern and safe nuclear plants,” said Tusk.

Survey support

A survey conducted by Money.pl among 13,000 internet users several days after nuclear explosion at Fukushima power plant shows that the PM might be right.

As many as 65 percent of respondents taking part in the survey support the construction of a nuclear power station in Poland, with 30 percent opposing the move.

A similar survey conducted in 2008 showed that 47.6 percent of Poles would like a nuclear power station to be built in the country with 42.1 percent against.

Tusk’s remarks today come as blackish-gray smoke was seen rising from the No. 3 reactor at the Fukushima plant, according to the Tokyo electric power company.

The explosions and radioactive emissions from the Japanese nuclear power plant has spread concern throughout the EU about the future of nuclear energy.

Germany’s Chancellor Merkel immediately imposed a three-month moratorium on a pending government decision to extend the life span of some of the country’s older reactors.

In the UK, energy minister Chris Hume has asked the British chief nuclear inspector to report on the implications of the Japanese crisis.

In France, which has had one of Europe’s most advanced nuclear power programmes for decades, MEP Daniel Cohn-Bendit has called for a referendum on the future of the project.