The war in Ukraine and high electricity prices have changed the attitude of many Poles towards small nuclear power plants. The majority of respondents do not object to the construction of MMR near their place of residence.
- Energy security is our priority. We are safe both in terms of energy and fuel - said on Wednesday, May 24, Daniel Obaitek, President of PKN Orlen, during a press conference on the development of SMR technology in Poland. - We have resolved the issue of oil and gas supplies. We also have a stake in electricity generation. Others may envy us this security - added.
It’s time for modern technology. SMR will reduce energy costs
According to President Obaitek, the time has come to introduce modern technologies to start transforming the energy sector in our country. - We need to look for other solutions to reduce energy costs. Low energy costs - the competitiveness of our economy - said the head of the fuel giant, referring to the construction of small nuclear reactors in Poland.
At the press conference, Orlen representatives presented the latest research carried out by IBRIS, which relates to the public acceptance of the construction of SMRs in our country. It shows that almost every second respondent sees no problem in building a small nuclear reactor in his commune.
Poles are not afraid of a small atom
Most Poles have heard of SMR technology and have no particular concerns about it. “Nearly 60 percent of those surveyed believe that modern technologies, such as small modular reactors, in which the Polish multi-energy giant is investing, are safe” - the results of the study. Almost the same number of respondents say that it is necessary to build several nuclear power plants with zero emissions of smaller capacity. But this is not the end.
According to the respondents, it is with this technology that we should start the transformation of energy in Poland. The social recognition of the Orlen project would be much higher if the inhabitants of the region could benefit personally from it, for example, get much cheaper electricity.
Obaitek: There is public consent to this technology
Among the seven selected sites, the greatest support for the construction of SMRs was in the Wlocławek region, where 62 percent. respondents were in favor of building a small nuclear power plant, while every fifth respondent was against such a proposal. In the next three places - in Dąbrowa Górnicz, Auschwitz and around Warsaw - 58% of the respondents answered “yes”. the people interviewed. In turn, in Ostrolenka, 52 percent voted for the construction of SMRs. examined.
According to President Obaitek, the green light has been given to SMR, and the results of the study mean that there is complete public agreement on this technology. - The Poles changed their minds about small nuclear reactors after the war broke out in Ukraine. Now they see great opportunities both for the development of the region and for cheaper energy. he noted.
More places for MMRs by the end of the year
The president of the IBRiS company that conducted the study, Marcin Duma, spoke in the same tone. — These results prove that we have more openness in the national and local society to make such decisions. He said.
President Obaitek announced that we would soon be introduced to a specific location that has so far been described as “around Warsaw”. By the end of the year, a list of 13 more sites for the construction of a small atom will be formed.
Source: Wprost
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