A recent poll of 2,034 people in the UK showed broad overall support for new nuclear plants, with more people in favor of public subsidies for reactor development than opposed to them.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, which commissioned the study, reported Tuesday that 46 percent of those surveyed want new nuclear, with only 29 percent opposed. Further, 43 percent said they support public subsidies for new reactors, with 28 percent opposed.
“For years now, government has been reluctant to offer nuclear power developers an overt subsidy, partly out of fear of the public backlash. These poll results show that these fears could be unwarranted," said the IME's head of energy and environment, Tim Fox. “Government needs to provide more leadership and help on financing nuclear power if they are serious about a new build program in the UK and we are to see the development of nuclear plants at sites like Hinkley Point, Sizewell and Wylfa. These poll results suggest that the public want government to take decisive action to support nuclear power."
Subsidies in the form of long-term price guarantees are currently at the heart of the UK government's delayed negotiations with EDF to build new reactors at Hinkley Point C.