Czech support for nuclear power reaches 78 percent, survey finds

Nearly four in five people in Czechia support the development and use of nuclear energy, according to a July survey by the Public Opinion Research Centre, CVVM.

Support reached 78 percent, up five percentage points from previous surveys, while approximately 4 percent opposed nuclear energy. Backing for the construction of new reactors at Dukovany was higher still, at 82 percent.

The findings, released Thursday, come from a survey of 1,032 respondents. They also show declining concern about nuclear energy, although many households remain worried about the broader energy situation.

Approximately 39 percent of respondents said they had no concerns about using nuclear energy, while another 38 percent reported only minor concerns.

Moderate concerns were expressed by 15 percent, and 2 percent said they had major concerns.

Together, those reporting moderate or major concerns accounted for 17 percent of respondents, down from 23 percent in the previous survey on the subject. CVVM described the results as evidence of a gradual decline in public apprehension about nuclear power.

The survey also found greater trust in the government’s nuclear-energy decisions.

Almost 59 percent said they trusted the cabinet on the issue, compared with approximately 27 percent who did not. Trust was about six percentage points higher than last year.

These results measure confidence specifically in decisions about nuclear energy, rather than overall approval of the government.

Support for new construction at Dukovany exceeded backing for nuclear development generally. However, the headline findings do not establish respondents’ views on individual contract terms, construction costs or project suppliers.

The favorable assessment of nuclear power sits alongside continuing concern about the effects of the energy crisis.

More than half of respondents said they had experienced negative consequences in their own lives. Some 55 percent reported at least moderate concern about how the situation would develop.

Only approximately 7 percent said the crisis did not worry them at all.

The findings therefore describe two distinct attitudes: broad confidence in nuclear energy and continued unease about energy-related pressures on everyday life.

The July timing also matters. The survey records views expressed that month, rather than a response to subsequent developments in energy policy or the Dukovany project.