Rural
27 December, 2024
Renewable energy zones reject nuclear: poll
A new poll released by RE-Alliance reveals strong opposition to living near nuclear power stations among Australians residing in renewable energy zones. Only 5% of respondents expressed willingness to embrace the idea, while 53% outright rejected it.
A new poll released by RE-Alliance reveals strong opposition to living near nuclear power stations among Australians residing in renewable energy zones. Only 5% of respondents expressed willingness to embrace the idea, while 53% outright rejected it.
The poll, conducted by 89 Degrees East, surveyed 1,770 Australians living in renewable energy zones and explored their sentiments about various types of energy infrastructure. The findings revealed the following levels of support and opposition:
Nuclear: 53% reject, 14% embrace or approve
Coal or gas: 36% reject, 15% embrace or approve
Onshore wind farms: 25% reject, 24% embrace or approve
Transmission lines: 23% reject, 11% embrace or approve
Solar farms: 14% reject, 39% embrace or approve
RE-Alliance National Director Andrew Bray highlighted that nuclear energy was the least favored option among respondents.
“People living in renewable energy zones rank nuclear last in terms of energy infrastructure they’re comfortable living near,” Mr. Bray said.
He emphasized that clean energy projects, particularly wind and solar, are delivering tangible benefits to regional Australians, unlike nuclear power.
“Farmers are on track to make $1 billion in passive income from clean energy rent between now and 2030, while nuclear is on track to deliver farmers $0 over the same period. Regional Australians are finally sharing in the dividends that come from generating energy through the diversification of wind and solar projects across the country.”
The sentiment against nuclear energy is particularly strong in regions where nuclear plants are proposed:
Central Queensland (Callide site): 59% reject living near a nuclear power station
Hunter Region (Liddell site): 54% reject
Gippsland (Loy Yang site): 49% reject
“There are too many polls to count that show the shift to clean energy is widely supported in country Australia," Mr. Bray said. "There are definitely challenges and a lack of trusted information, but communities are getting stuck in and working together to find a way forward. By contrast, there is little appetite for living near nuclear at all.”
Mr. Bray also raised concerns about the compatibility of nuclear power with Australia’s extensive rooftop solar adoption.
“We know nuclear power isn't compatible with rooftop solar because you have to turn solar off to make the nuclear power plant more viable during the day. What happens to the four million households with rooftop solar in Australia?”
The findings underscore a significant preference among Australians for renewable energy solutions over nuclear power, with solar farms and wind projects offering more community benefits and less resistance.
