THE UK NUCLEAR INDUSTRY has been given a major boost by the public with the highest level of support for new nuclear power since national polling began some 12 years ago.

The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) has today released its 2010 public opinion survey which shows that 40% of the public are favourable towards the nuclear energy industry, with just 17% unfavourable – a substantial improvement from a year ago. Furthermore, some 70% of the population support a balanced energy mix – including nuclear power.

Meanwhile, support for new build power stations to replace those which are shutting down is up four points to some 47% of the population supporting replacement build, with opposition holding steady at just 19%.

NIA Chief Executive Keith Parker commented: “It is very positive to see that 7 in 10 people see a clear role for nuclear in the energy mix and that there is surging support for new build.

There is a real recognition of the crucial role which nuclear energy can play in securing large-scale energy supplies as we move ever further towards a low carbon economy”.

Familiarity with the industry has also risen back to its 2008 level – a year of key policy announcements and intense media coverage.

He said: “Absolute openness and transparency is utterly critical for the nuclear industry, we must engage effectively with local communities and with the national public. The fact that we are driving familiarity with our industry back up is testament to the focus which we place on public engagement”.

Support for new build amongst women is also positive on balance for the first time, with some 25% favourable to new build, compared to just 19% against.

This year’s poll reveals:

• 40% are now favourable towards the nuclear energy industry (up 7 points from 2009) while 17% are unfavourable (down 3 points)
• 70% of the public support a balanced energy mix including nuclear energy, while just 9% disagree
• 47% of the population support replacement nuclear build, while only 19% disagree
• Familiarity with the nuclear energy industry has risen – 20% now feel they know at least a fair amount about it, up from 17% in 2009
• Women’s favourability to nuclear has risen 4% in one year with opposition falling by the same margin, to 25% favourable and 19% unfavourable.

Keith Parker concluded: “Public support for nuclear energy continues to rise, as we see an increasing understanding of the need for secure supplies of clean, reliable low-carbon energy.

The industry will continue to engage ever more closely with the public, and help ensure an ever greater understanding of the important role which nuclear energy can play”.