PGE said the poll was carried out in October and November 2019 in three municipalities, Choczewo, Gniewino and Krokowa, all close to Poland’s Baltic coast in the northern province of Pomerania.
A similar poll in 2018 showed in total 69% of local residents in the three municipalities supported the project, PGE said.
According to the latest poll, 91% of residents of Gniewino are in favour of the nuclear power station project in Poland, followed by 68% in Choczewo and 60% in Krokowa. Sixty-seven percent of local residents in the three municipalities support the construction of the proposed station in their immediate neighbourhood.
PGE said local residents indicated they are in favour of the project because of the development and job opportunities it could bring to their regions, and the availability of cheaper electricity. The poll showed 35% of respondents expect new jobs to be one of the benefits from a nuclear station, 20% expect local infrastructure development, while 18% expect lower electricity prices.
PGE said 67% think that Poland needs a nuclear power plant because current sources are insufficient to meet the country's energy needs.
In April 2017, PGE began environmental and site selection surveys at two locations – Lubiatowo-Kopalino in the municipality of Choczewo and Żarnowiec in the municipality of Korkowa.
The studies aim to determine the potential impact of the project on both the environment and local residents. An initial round of environmental studies has already been carried out at both locations.
Poland launched a national nuclear power programme in 2014 which included the construction of up to 6 GW of capacity by 2035, but the government has been delaying a final decision on the programme since taking over in 2015 because of financing uncertainties.
According to latest reports, a decision is now expected over the course of 2020.
