Russia's nuclear power supply system is unique in that about half of all reactors are "heat-and-power" plants, with 29 plants currently in service producing over 90% of all centrally- produced heat and 12% of electricity.
Recent public opinion polls in the Czech Republic found that 63% support nuclear power and 73% want to limit the development of coal-fired power. Very high support was also indicated for non-traditional sources (82%) and the continuing use of hydropower (90%). Opposition by the local authorities to the construction of the new interim waste storage facility at Dukovany has been withdrawn.
In the UK the majority of opinion formers adopt a pragmatic rather than an ideological approach to nuclear power. "In principle" opposition remains low; two-thirds of those questioned in a survey said that they believed that nuclear energy would be important in the years ahead even if they did not particularly like it (48% definitely saying they did not favour nuclear power). For the majority, a significant argument in favour of retaining nuclear electricity is that it is in the national interest to have a mix of power sources.