The survey series was launched in 1983 at the University of Tampere, and was initially financed by the energy company Imatran Voima (later known as the Fortum Corporation). Finnish public opinion on energy policy issues was studied by annual mail surveys. Comparative data allow detailed empirical analysis and systematic follow-up of citizen perceptions, opinions, beliefs, knowledge, values, and attitudes on these matters.
The surveys were carried out by Yhdyskuntatutkimus and jointly produced by the Fortum Corporation (Imatran Voima until 1998) and Teollisuuden Voima (TVO). The Finnish Energy Industries (ET) was responsible for publishing the results from 2004 onwards. The data collection for this series has been finished, but the same themes are studied in the Finnish Energy Attitudes series.
The survey charted Finnish attitudes to energy production and energy strategy. The data are part of an extensive survey series launched in 1983. Respondents' conceptions, opinions, beliefs, assessments, attitudes and knowledge about various energy issues were studied by presenting several statements relating to energy production. In addition, they were asked to assess how efficient different strategies for reducing carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emissions in Finland by 2010, which is required by the global Kyoto Protocol on climate change. These strategies include making energy saving more efficient, building new nuclear power plants, reducing private car use and importing more electricity. Respondents were also asked in what direction electric power production should be developed in Finland.
Background variables included respondents' gender, age, region of residence, occupational group, basic and vocational education, political party preference and number of inhabitants in respondents' municipality of residence.
The questionnaire was sent to 4200 persons, aged 18 - 70 and randomly sampled from Finland's population register. Altogether, five separate samples were selected. The entire Finnish population, including both Swedish-speaking and Finnish-speaking persons but excluding the Åland Islands citizens, was represented by a sample of 3000 persons. Four additional samples of 300 persons represented the municipalities of Loviisa, Eurajoki , Kuhmo, and Äänekoski.
The number of adequately completed questionnaires was 1586 and the total response rate was 37,8. Response rate varied somewhat between the samples: for the sample representing the entire Finnish population it was 36,6 %, for Loviisa 46,3 %, for Eurajoki 42,3 %, for Kuhmo 37,0 % and Äänekoski 37,3 %.