Majority of the Dutch for the preservation of nuclear energy | Inland

This is apparent from a representative poll conducted by I&O Research. JA21 asked the research bureau to conduct independent research into support for nuclear energy, which can be used to generate C02-free electricity on a large scale. This topic is topical now that it is on the formation table and the provincial government has also requested research into the possibilities of the arrival of new nuclear power plants in Limburg.

There is a clear majority in the House of Representatives in favor of more nuclear energy, although forming parties D66 and CU also have constant doubts. Yet 54 percent of the D66 voters are positive about nuclear energy, as are 41 percent of the CU voters. Only 11 percent of the respondents – mostly voting for left-wing parties – think that we should not use nuclear energy in the Netherlands, almost half of the Dutch (46 percent) want to generate much more energy by means of nuclear power plants.

Arguments for expanding these plants are mainly that nuclear energy is a clean way of generating energy (and many tons of CO2 emissions can be saved). Others indicate that it is necessary because it is not possible to obtain all energy from sustainable sources (such as solar panels and wind turbines). When asked: ‘I would rather have one nuclear power plant than 2200 onshore wind turbines’, 49 percent of those surveyed agreed with that statement, 14 percent were neutral. 24 percent disagreed and 12 percent had no opinion.

Opponents mainly point to potential dangers that the energy source can entail. Many of them mention the storage of nuclear waste, others fear a nuclear disaster.

Paris climate goals

The survey also asked for opinions on the climate goals agreed in Paris (in 2015). Two thirds of the Dutch are positive about this, one third (36%) are even very positive. Voters of GL, D66 and Volt in particular approve of stricter standards. A minority of voters of PVV, JA21 and BBB are positive about this.

JA21 party chairman Joost Eerdmans sees the confirmation in the support survey to start quickly with the construction of two extra nuclear power plants (in addition to the only running nuclear power plant) in Borssele. “This will allow us to stop the unbridled flow of new mega wind turbines that are filling our country,” says Eerdmans. He hopes that the forming parties will actually give ‘throttle’ to the construction of more nuclear power plants. “I find the results of the I&O study hopeful. When even the supporters of D66 are in majority in favour, nothing stands in the way of the forming parties to fully commit to nuclear energy. If they don’t say yes to more nuclear energy now, then the Netherlands will miss the boat.”

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