German consumers moving away from nuclear energy

[kristopher]

German consumers moving away from nuclear energy
April 12, 2011

Only 5% of German consumers still consider nuclear energy to be a viable option in the longer term. In contrast, there is widespread support among the general public for further investment in the expansion of renewable energies. These are the findings of a representative survey conducted by GfK Marktforschung in April 2011.

The public image of nuclear energy has deteriorated further as a result of the reactor disaster in Japan. In January, more than one in ten energy decision makers in German households still perceived this form of energy generation as fit for the future, on account of the security of supply and minimal CO2 emissions. Following the nuclear reactor disaster in Japan, this already rather low level of approval among the German population has now almost completely faded. Currently, only 4% think it is necessary to invest in this type of energy generation for reasons of climate protection. A small minority of 5% think that ensuring the security of the electricity supply is a reason to continue using nuclear energy in future.

...Concurrently with the renunciation of nuclear power in Germany, the already high level of support for greater commitment to renewable energies has again been rising. The German population clearly feels that regenerative energy sources are gaining ground, for ecological reasons in particular. Solar power and wind energy are the clear favorites in Germany's future energy mix. The top position is held by solar energy (photovoltaic and solar thermal), with 86% approval at present (January: 83%), and wind energy comes second, with 80% approval (January: 72%). Hydropower, which is currently the second most important regenerative energy source for electricity in Germany, is experiencing a renaissance of sorts and is gaining favor among the population. Approximately two in three respondents consider further investment in hydropower plants a sustainable option, whereas this value only stood at around 50% prior to the Fukushima reactor disaster. Coal's not an energy source for the future.

http://www.powergenworldwide.com/index/display/wire-news-display/1396844368.html