Is Nuclear Energy Misunderstood?

Is Nuclear Energy Misunderstood? As the energy transition gains traction and decarbonisation efforts take centre stage, fossil fuels are not the only sector suffering from a public perception issue.

Public Perceptions: Nuclear Power, a report released by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (ImechE), has highlighted that limited public understanding of nuclear power could jeopardise the sector’s contribution towards achieving the UK’s ‘net-zero’ carbon targets.

The poll findings revealed that men are almost twice as likely to favour Nuclear power than women, with only 29% of women supporting it compared with 56% of men.

It is also clear that age, as well as gender, is a factor in public perception. The survey, taken in December 2019, reveals that understanding increases among older people, who, at 61% are far more likely to recognise Nuclear as a low carbon electricity source in comparison to 47% among 35 to 44-year olds. However, this still falls short when compared to levels of public understanding around renewables.

“The importance of rapidly decarbonising the UK’s power system has increased as concern about climate change intensifies,” said Dr Colin Brown, IMechE’s Chief Executive, adding:

“This poll shows the potential of low carbon electricity sources has not been effectively communicated, with Nuclear much less understood than renewables.”

The most common concerns from respondents around Nuclear power were Nuclear waste and its disposal.

As decarbonisation efforts continue, there is real potential for Nuclear to work alongside Renewables to reduce the UK reliance on Fossil Fuels. However, the survey findings could prove to be a point of concern as the UK undertakes its transition to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

In 2019, UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnston, called for a Nuclear Renaissance, but public understanding will be crucial to maximising political momentum, developed in recent months.

The Advanced Modular Reactor Programme is poised to conduct Government-funded feasibility studies of designs by ‘vendors’ of small modular reactors (SMRs). However, the survey findings suggest that a widescale roll-out of SMRs would not be well received with 41% of respondents stating they would oppose construction of Nuclear power stations in their locality while only 27% would support them.

Overall, public support for Nuclear power paled when compared to support for renewables, peaking as just 42%, compared to 84% for renewables.

Dr Jenifer Baxter, IMechE’s Head of Engineering, suggested that low support could relate to concerns relating to older Nuclear power stations, such as Sellafield and Dounreay.

“I think people conflate previous projects with new projects. We have reduced the amount of fuel we need, the amount of waste produced and it is safer – in fact, it is the safest form of power generation”

The most common concerns from respondents around Nuclear power were Nuclear waste and its disposal (58%) and safety concerns including accidents (44%) while ‘reliability of energy supply’ (43%), ‘low carbon energy’ (37%), and ‘security of future energy supply’ (34%) were the most frequently cited benefits.

“Understanding has to improve, not just for members of the public but for planners and potential industry workers as well” said Dr Baxter, adding “We have to make sure that we support not just ourselves today, but future generations to live the lives they want to, and Nuclear power needs to be part of that.”