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MORE THAN HALF OF BULGARIANS SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY IN EUROPE AND IN THE COUNTRY
This is shown by the data from the survey "Attitudes towards the development of nuclear energy in Bulgaria" conducted by Trend Agency among 1006 people over 18 years of age in the period 1 - 9 August 2020, upon a 3eNews request.
In general, the oppinion of Bulgarians about nuclear energy is very positive. According to the survey, 58% of respondents believe that it is necessary to develop nuclear energy, including in Bulgaria. One in ten is of the opposite opinion, and 32 percent do not know or cannot judge this.
When those who believe that it is necessary to develop nuclear energy in Bulgaria are asked how exactly this should happen, 43% say through the Belene NPP and new units at Kozloduy NPP.
51% OF BULGARIANS SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF BELENE NPP
According to the analysis of Trend Agency, a little over half of the respondents (51%) declare that they support the construction of Belene NPP. Just under one-fifth (18%) are on the opposite opinion.
However, people do not have a single opinion on how Belene NPP should be implemented:
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27% say it is best to do this through a consortium of different countries.
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Another 26% believe that it is best for this to happen with 100% participation of the Bulgarian state.
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The youngest (18-29 years) support this option the most. The construction of Belene NPP by a Russian investor is supported to the greatest extent by the oldest (70+).
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The general conclusion from these most significant accumulations is that among those wishing to implement this project, who are a little over half of the adult Bulgarian citizens, there is an economic orientation in the way of thinking and evaluating this project and its implementation.
EVEN HIGHER SUPPORT (62%) TO DEVELOPING NUCLEAR ENERGY IN BULGARIA HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY THE STUDY OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR PARLIAMENTARY RESEARCH
The National Representative Survey on “Public Attitudes on Energy-Related Topics and Issues”, conducted in September 2020 by the National Center for Parliamentary Research (NCPR) at the Parliament of the Republic of Bulgaria, shows a high level of public support, both in terms of nuclear energy development in Bulgaria, as well as in terms of the implementation of major projects in this direction:
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Most adult Bulgarian citizens (62%) support the development of nuclear energy in Bulgaria as a whole.
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This position is most clearly expressed among respondents defending the thesis that Bulgaria can be energy independent.
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Significant public support (62%) meets the idea of building new facilities at Kozloduy NPP.
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At the same time, more than half of the adult residents of the country (56%) approve the construction of the Belene NPP.
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The greatest support is registered among people with high awareness on energy issues, supporters of the thesis of energy independence of the country, respondents over the age of 50, people with higher education living in regional cities (except Sofia).
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MORE THAN 65% OF BULGARIANS SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR ENERGY IN THE COUNTRY
This is shown by the data from the survey "Attitudes towards the development of nuclear energy in Bulgaria" conducted by Trend Agency among 1003 people over 18 years of age in the period 4 – 12 February 2023, on the request of 3eNews.
In general, the opinion of Bulgarians regarding nuclear energy is very positive. According to the survey, a total of 66% of respondents express support to the nuclear energy development in the country while the share of hard opponents is negligibly low.
Moreover, in recent years, the share of support has increased (from 58% in 2020 to 66% in 2023) at the expense of people who cannot judge. (from 32% in 2020 to 24% in 2023).
According to the public opinion, among the greatest benefits of nuclear energy, the following stand out:
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Guaranteeing the energy security of the country
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Maintaining Bulgaria's role as a leading exporter of electricity in the region
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Ensuring security of electricity supplies at competitive and sustainable prices
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Providing conditions for a rapid transition to clean energy due to its low-carbon nature
MORE THAN HALF OF THE BULGARIANS SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW NUCLEAR CAPACITIES
According to the analysis of the Trend Agency survey, slightly more than half of the respondents (52%) declare that they support the construction of new NPPs in the country, with almost a third of the respondents (29%) supporting the increase of existing capacities and 23% supporting the construction of replacement capacities.
Another 20% do not have a principal position and trust the experts in the field to determine the best path for the development of nuclear energy in Bulgaria, which speaks of the great confidence in the expert potential of the Bulgarian nuclear industry.
Only 3% of the respondents are fundamentally against nuclear energy, do not support the construction of new nuclear facilities and are in favor of the decommissioning of existing nuclear facilities, while another 8% share the opinion that the decommissioning of these facilities should be after the exhaustion of their exploitation resource.
The dominating opinion (73% in total) is that the Bulgarian state should have a leading role on new nuclear projects - 39% believe that it should be the sole owner, and another 34% that it should have sole control, allowing the participation of other investors.
More details about the results of this research are presented on the website of the BULATOM association.