EDF Energy poll claims growing support for nuclear power

A growing number of people are warming to nuclear power and more people now favour it rather than oppose it, according to a new YouGov survey for EDF Energy, the French nuclear power operator.

The survey, to be published tomorrow, shows that 53 per cent of the 4,449 people who took part in the online poll are now in favour of nuclear power stations to replace old ones. This compares with 46 per cent last year, and 41 per cent the previous year. At the same time 62 per cent agree that nuclear is needed as part of a balanced energy source for the UK compared with 59 per cent last year, and 54 per cent in 2006.

Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive of EDF Energy, said: "This latest poll shows increasing support for nuclear power to be part of the solution to meet the looming energy gap in the UK. Alongside energy efficiency, EDF Energy believes that nuclear and renewables have a key role to play, alongside clean coal and gas generation. The survey shows that the public has a strong understanding of the nature and scale of the energy challenge facing the UK."

However, according to the survey, people remain worried about the safety issues surrounding nuclear with 76 per cent expressing fears about safety, albeit down from 79 per cent last year. The study found 81 per cent cite disposing of waste as a cause for concern.