Poll: Most Czechs support construction of nuclear reactors in Czechia

Most Czechs support the development of new nuclear power sources in the country. According to a survey by NMS Market Research, 59 percent of people support the future construction of large nuclear units, while as many as 60 percent would support the construction of small and medium-sized nuclear reactors in their region. This is according to the results of a survey presented to journalists in Prague today by its authors. The government is now deciding on a supplier for new nuclear units and is considering building up to four reactors. It is expected to make a decision during the summer. It is also planning to develop small modular reactors.

Nuclear power has had a strong position in Czechia for a long time, according to the survey, which the agency conducted among more than 1000 respondents for Westinghouse. Around 72 percent of people support its use, while approximately 14 percent of respondents are opposed, the survey found.

One of the main reasons for support for construction is Czechs’ confidence in the reliability of nuclear power. In the survey, 46 percent of respondents named it as the most reliable energy source, followed by solar energy at 15 percent and gas at 13 percent. More than a quarter of Czechs also highlighted nuclear power’s low environmental impact.

The issue is not just new conventional high-capacity units, with which Czechia has many years of experience. The survey also found relatively strong support for the planned construction of small and medium-sized nuclear reactors, which, under current government plans, are also expected to become an important part of the domestic energy mix in the future.

Although the technology is new, as many as 60 percent of Czechs would support the construction of a small modular reactor in their region, according to the survey. A potential problem for modular reactors, however, is the current lack of information about the technology. Most respondents in the survey could not name any modular reactor manufacturers. While 48 percent of people said they trusted the safety of the new technology, 43 percent of respondents were unable to assess it due to a lack of information.

At the same time, a large majority of Czechs believe it is very important to ensure strong involvement of Czech industry in the planned construction of nuclear power sources. 85 percent of people highlighted the positive benefits this would bring. They particularly emphasised the use of Czech technologies, the creation of up to 10.000 new jobs, and the opportunity for Czech companies to build up their track record through similar projects abroad. Meanwhile, 78 percent of Czechs would view the exclusion of Czech companies from construction negatively. They would be concerned, for example, about the low return on investment in the projects, the disappearance of the nuclear sector in the Czech Republic, or even possible risks to the safe operation of power plants.

Czechia currently has six nuclear units at two power plants. Two units, each with a capacity of approximately 1000 megawatts (MW), are at Temelín in South Bohemia. Four smaller units with a capacity of 510 MW are located at Dukovany in the Třebíč region. The government will decide during the summer how many new units to build and will also select their supplier. In addition to new conventional reactors, ČEZ is also preparing to build small modular reactors. The first is expected to be built at Temelín.