Nuclear or renewable energy: a social debate between young people and seniors

In a context of rising gas and electricity prices, which camp do they lean towards?

“The world of tomorrow will be more electric (...) We must be able to produce up to 60% more electricity than today. And the key, to do this in the safest way, is to develop renewable and nuclear energies", declared Emmanuel Macron on February 10 in Belfort, revealing on this occasion his ambition to build 14 new reactors of by 2050, including 6 by 2035.

Developing nuclear power: yes, but not a priority

Constituting a testimony to the evolution of mentalities, if purchasing power remains the main concern of the French in terms of energy consumption (92%), their thermal comfort as well as the reduction of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions greenhouse are almost as important points of attention for them (90% tied).

Thus, the trio of the main measures to be implemented to deal with energy price increases are for them:

• Ensuring France's energy sovereignty (89%),
• Reduce our energy consumption through the energy renovation of buildings or the strengthening of public transport (88%),
• Develop renewable energies such as solar, wind and hydraulic (82%).

At the foot of the podium, seeming less strategic in comparison, the revival of nuclear power is only a priority for 66% of French people. If they generally agree to affirm that it is essential not to depend totally on nuclear power (85%), in detail, some differences in points of view between the generations are observed regarding the use of this source of energy. . Less enthusiastic than seniors, young people show greater overall mistrust, highlighting a certain concern about the risks to human health and the environment, today and for future generations.

It should be noted that the differences in perception between young people and seniors are also found in other aspects. Thus, people aged 65 and over are more numerous (64%) than those aged 18-24 (52%) to consider that today there are more important subjects than the energy transition, such as the employment, security, purchasing power or health.

Similarly, they are also more pessimistic about our chances of reconciling the fight for the climate, economic growth and modern lifestyles (65% of 50-64 and 52% of 65 and over versus 44% of 18-24 year olds ).

Methodology : study and analysis carried out in the 1st quarter of 2022 by OpinionWay with a sample of 1022 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over.