1980 Swedish nuclear power referendum

A non-binding referendum on nuclear power was held in Sweden on 23 March 1980.[1] Three proposals were put to voters:

1. Nuclear power would be phased out over a period that would not impact too severely on employment and welfare. The twelve nuclear power stations operating or under construction would continue to be used until renewable sources became available, in order to reduce dependence on oil. There would also be no further expansion of nuclear power and the order in which the existing nuclear power stations would close down would be dependent on security.[2]
2. As with proposal 1, but efforts would also be made to reduce energy consumption whilst protecting low income groups, including phasing out electric heating and increased R&D of renewable energy led by the government. In addition, a security committee with local membership would be put in place at each nuclear power plant and the public sector would take responsibility for generating and distributing electricity. Nuclear power plants would be owned by central and local government and any surplus profits from hydroelectric generation would be subject to a 100% tax rate.[2]
3. The expansion of nuclear power would cease immediately and the six operational stations would be subject to stricter conditions and closed within ten years. Efforts would be made to reduce energy consumption and to increase renewable energy capacity. Uranium mining would be banned and efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons would be enhanced.[2]

The second option won a narrow plurality of the vote, receiving 39.1% of the ballots cast to 38.7% for option 3.[2] Option 1 was the least popular, receiving only 18.9% of the votes.[2]

The actual long term result of the nuclear power politics in Sweden after the referendum has been most similar to option 1. Nuclear power plants did not change ownership. Some were fully private and other owned by the government, and this did not change much. High profits in hydroelectric generation were not excessively taxed. Some of the nuclear power plants have been phased out, but most (as of 2017) haven't.

Details of the options

• The ballot for "Linje 1" read:

"Nuclear power shall be phased out, while taking consideration of the need for electric power for the maintenance of employment and welfare. In order to, among other things, lessen the dependency on oil, and while waiting for the availability of renewable energy sources, at most 12 of the reactors shall be used, be they existing or under construction. No further expansion is to take place. The order in which the reactors will be taken out of production will be determined by security concerns."

There was no text on the reverse side of the ballot.

• The front side of the ballot for "Linje 2" had almost identical wording to that of "Linje 1". However, on the reverse side, the following text was added:

"Energy conservation shall be pursued vigorously and stimulated further. The weakest groups in society shall be protected. Measures shall be taken to control consumption of electricity, e.g. prohibiting direct electric heating in the construction of new permanent housing.

Research and development of renewable energy sources shall be pursued under the leadership of the community [government].

Environmental and safety improving measures are to be carried out. A special safety study is to be made at each reactor. To allow insight by the citizens a special security committee with local ties is appointed at each nuclear power plant.

Production of electricity from oil and coal is to be avoided.

The community [government] shall have the main responsibility for production and distribution of electric power. Nuclear power plants and other future installations for the production of significant electric power shall be owned by the state and by the municipalities. Excessive profits from hydroelectric power generation are reduced by taxation."

The last point was controversial and the most important reason why the Moderate Party would not consider supporting "Linje 2".

• The front side of the ballot for "Linje 3" read:

"NO to continued expansion of nuclear power.

Phasing out of the currently operating six reactors with at most ten years. A conservation plan for reduced dependency on oil is to be carried through on the basis of:

• continued and intensified energy conservation
• greatly increased development of renewable energy sources.

The operating reactors are subjected to heightened safety requirements. Non-fueled reactors will never be put into production.

Uranium mining is to be prohibited in our country."

The reverse side of the ballot read:

"If ongoing or future safety analyses demand it, immediate shutdown is to take place.

The work against nuclear proliferation and nuclear weapons shall be intensified. No fuel enrichment is permitted and the export of reactors and reactor technology is to cease.

Employment will increase through alternative energy production, more effective conservation of energy and refinement of raw materials."

Results

Choice	Votes	%
Option 1	904,968	18.9
Option 2	1,869,344	39.1
Option 3	1,846,911	38.7
Blank votes	157,103	3.3
Invalid votes	3,153	–
Total	4,781,479	100
Registered voters/turnout	6,321,165	75.6
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Results by County

Results by county

  Option 1

  Option 2

  Option 3

County	Option 1		Option 2		Option 3		Blank vote		Total
	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%
Stockholm County	230 045	25,41	295 837	32,68	350 942	38,76	28 503	3,15	905 327
Uppsala County	25 219	18,0	52 642	37,6	58 051	41,4	4 273	3,0	140 185
Södermanland County	23 946	16,56	67 192	46,46	48 110	33,27	5 367	3,71	144 615
Östergötland County	42 343	18,93	95 022	42,49	77 278	34,56	9 011	4,03	223 654
Jönköping County	29 717	17,06	67 137	38,56	71 314	40,95	5 984	3,44	174 152
Kronoberg County	16 909	17,54	35 669	37,01	40 702	42,23	3 098	3,21	96 378
Kalmar County	23 468	17,30	54 507	40,19	53 568	39,50	4 072	3,00	135 615
Gotland County	4 161	13,67	10 474	34,41	14 843	48,76	964	3,17	30 442
Blekinge County	15 116	18,12	41 359	49,59	24 141	28,94	2 788	3,34	83 404
Kristianstad County	35 937	23,74	62 629	41,38	47 490	31,37	5 312	3,51	151 368
Malmöhus County	124 584	28,36	190 651	43,40	109 310	24,88	14 745	3,36	439 290
Halland County	24 695	18,70	45 813	34,69	56 498	42,78	5 059	3,83	132 065
Gothenburg and Bohus County	80 584	19,30	145 791	34,92	177 136	42,42	14 034	3,36	417 545
Älvsborg County	39 797	16,45	91 748	37,92	101 869	42,11	8 508	3,52	241 922
Skaraborg County	24 557	16,13	52 248	34,32	70 079	46,03	5 363	3,52	152 247
Värmland County	25 224	15,02	67 239	41,68	63 929	39,63	4 924	3,05	161 316
Örebro County	21 975	13,79	69 127	43,37	63 162	39,62	5 136	3,22	159 400
Västmanland County	29 375	20,02	64 666	44,08	46 922	31,98	5 738	3,91	146 701
Kopparberg County	19 249	11,91	65 725	40,67	71 112	44,00	5 531	3,42	161 617
Gävleborg County	17 145	10,32	69 911	42,08	74 080	44,59	5 000	3,01	166 146
Västernorrland County	15 831	10,09	67 923	43,28	68 661	43,75	4 519	2,88	156 934
Jämtland County	7 250	9,58	31 259	41,30	35 120	46,40	2 058	2,72	75 687
Västerbotten County	13 734	9,81	56 827	40,58	65 938	47,09	3 527	2,52	140 026
Norrbotten County	14 107	9,91	67 948	47,75	56 656	39,81	3 589	2,52	142 300
Sweden (total)	904 968	18,94	1 869 344	39,12	1 846 911	38,65	157 103	3,29	4 778 326

See also

• Nuclear power in Sweden

References

1. Nohlen, Dieter; Stöver, Philip (2010). Elections in Europe: A Data Handbook. p. 1858. ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7.
2. Nohlen & Stöver, p1863

External links

• "Folkomröstningar 1922-2003" (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. 21 December 2007. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011.
• "Nationella folkomröstningar" (in Swedish). Swedish Election Authority. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011.