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. The respondents' conceptions, opinions, beliefs, assessments, attitudes and knowledge about various energy issues were studied by presenting several statements relating to energy production. The respondents were also asked whether Finland should increase or decrease the use of certain energy sources (e.g. coal, peat, natural gas, nuclear power, water power, wind power, bioenergy) in electricity generation.
Some questions focused on the decision made by the Finnish Parliament to approve the construction of a fifth nuclear power plant. The respondents were asked whether they approved of the decision or not, had the debate on the issue changed their attitude towards nuclear power, and would the decision have a positive or negative impact on the standard of living in Finland, employment, safety, image of Finland, electricity prices, environment, industry etc. The Parliament's decision only meant that a permission to construct had been granted, and the survey studied opinions on how likely it was that the new nuclear power plant would actually be constructed. Views were also probed on whether the new plant should be located in Eurajoki or Loviisa.
Background variables included the respondent's gender, age group, basic and vocational education, economic activity, size of municipality, region of residence, and which political party the respondent would vote for if the parliamentary elections were held at that time.
The questionnaire was sent to 3700 persons, aged 18 - 70, and randomly sampled from Finland's population register. Altogether, three separate samples were selected. The entire Finnish population, including both Swedish-speaking and Finnish-speaking persons but excluding the Åland Islands residents, was represented by a sample of 3000 persons. Two additional samples of 350 persons represented the inhabitants of Loviisa and Eurajoki.
The number of adequately completed questionnaires was 1280 and the total response rate was 34,6. Response rate varied somewhat between the samples: for the sample representing the entire Finnish population it was 35,1 %, for Loviisa 32,3 % and for Eurajoki 32,6 %.