Articles
1. Do you support the need for the construction of a new fleet of nuclear power stations in the UK?
Yes: 90%
No: 7%
Don't know: 3%
Previous surveys have shown that engineers are strong supporters of nuclear power. And that remains the case. The reasoning is clear: there are no other options if we want to carry on using energy at the present rate. Renewables are too unreliable, and fossil fuels produce too much carbon dioxide. The No voters said nuclear decommissioning costs were too high.
2. EDF is 84.5%-owned by the French state. Is nationality relevant when it comes to new nuclear provision?
Yes: 66%
No: 30%
Don't know: 4%
Two-thirds of PE readers think that the nationaIity of new nuclear constructors, owners and operators is a relevant concern. Many respondents said that it was vital to keep a level of national control when it came to key infrastructure such as power generation. The interaction between government and the private sector in this industry is so great, it was said, that it was false to try to create a ‘normal’ commercial environment, as normal market forces were not in play. There were issues of national security: should the Chinese or French really be able to own such a crucial part of our infrastructure, it was asked?
3. Should EDF be forced by the government to guarantee UK workshare quotas on the construction of plants?
Yes: 73%
No: 20%
Don't know: 7%
There was strong support for British government-enforced workshare quotas on new nuclear plants. The legality of such a move was in doubt, though. Lots of readers pointed out that the French government appeared very ‘protectionist’ about ensuring that work carried out in France was, at least in part, done by French workers. The situation was similar for projects in the Far East, it was said. So, in the current economic climate, it was not unreasonable to insist that new nuclear had quotas that would benefit British industry. But we could not afford to ‘scare off’ EDF as there were few other options, it was noted.
4. Do you think a new Hinkley reactor will be operational within 10 years?
Yes: 20%
No: 58%
Don't know: 22%
When nuclear newbuild was announced by the Labour government in the early noughties it was said that the first station would be operational by 2018. That was wildy optimistic. So, do readers think it will be online by 2025? Err, no. Reactor design complexities and construction delays would come into play, it was felt.
5. Do you think a new Hinkley reactor will be operational within 20 years?
Yes: 79%
No: 7%
Don't know: 14%
So let’s give the regulatory bodies and the design, engineering and construction companies another 20 years. Will the first nuclear newbuild plant be ready by 2035? That timespan produced a far more confident response, although around one fifth of readers still weren’t convinced that progress will have been made.
6. Is the government right to offer long-term ‘strike price’ guarantees for electricity generated by Hinkley Point C?
Yes: 49%
No: 31%
Don't know: 20%
The responses were far from unanimous. The Yes voters said that without strike-price agreements stations would never get built. But the No voters felt the government was being held over a barrel and that consumers would pay a heavy price.
7. Do you think the public is more accepting of nuclear power now than it was, say, 10 years ago?
Yes: 62%
No: 25%
Don't know: 13%
Twenty years ago nuclear power had an image problem. Campaigners had portrayed it as dangerous, dirty, and expensive. But most readers feel that there has been a change in public attitudes, mainly forged from more informed opinions and a sense of realism around the downside of other power generation techniques.
8. If you were a graduate engineer, would you consider a career in the nuclear sector?
Yes: 75%
No: 20%
Don't know: 5%
With the nuclear industry now seen in a better light, three-quarters of PE readers would consider a career in the sector if starting out again. It was widely felt that the nuclear sector would provide plenty of career opportunities going forward, offering secure, well-paid positions in some nice parts of the country.
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pesurveys@caspianmedia.com with the words Panel Member in the message box and we will add you to future correspondence