51% of people in Wales support building new nuclear power stations to replace those retiring
Nuclear is the top choice for keeping the lights on, selected by 43% of people in Wales
Only 17% of people in Wales chose solar as the most important source of electricity to keep the lights on
As Wales prepares for a historic new era of clean power, industrial growth and jobs with Gwyndod Power Station, new polling conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Nuclear Industry Association shows that new nuclear has the people in Wales’s backing.
The polling found that 51% of people across Wales support building new nuclear power stations to replace those retiring, while only 24% oppose.
Nuclear is also leading in the polls as the best energy source to keep the lights on. 43% of people in Wales identified nuclear as the most important source for maintaining a secure supply. Solar ranked second, with 17% of people in Wales ranking it as their preferred source. Gas ranked third, selected by 14% of people in Wales.
Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said:
“These results serve as a much-needed reminder that people in Wales back new nuclear, with a clear understanding that it provides reliable, secure and sovereign energy to the country that it is essential to maintaining grid stability.
“Alongside energy security, as the hosts of the UK’s first SMR fleet, Wales will benefit directly from being at the forefront of the UK’s nuclear renaissance. Gwyndod Power Station will create thousands of jobs and attract significant local and Wales-wide investment.
“The focus must now be on delivery. We must build on this growing support by ensuring proper implementation of the Nuclear Regulatory Review in Wales to streamline approvals, cut delays, boost innovation, and ensure proportionate, efficient delivery.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1048 adults in Wales. Fieldwork was undertaken between 8th – 29th June 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults in Wales (aged 16+).
About the NIA
As the trade association for the civil nuclear industry in the UK, the Nuclear Industry
Association represents over 340 companies across the UK’s nuclear supply chain.
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