BRUSSELS, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) citizens are very positive about renewable energies and many expect fossil fuels to be replaced by renewable energy in the future, according to a EU survey published on Monday.

    The Eurobarometer study, published two days ahead of the launch of the European Commission's major EU energy plan, shows that 80 percent of EU citizens support solar energy while 71 percent are in favor of wind energy.

    The Danes are most enthusiastic with 95 percent backing solar energy and 93 percent supportive of wind energy. Denmark has the highest ratio of wind power in Europe, with more than 20 percent of electricity used in the country coming from wind turbines.

    At the other end of the spectrum, 70 percent of Latvians and 63percent of Italians are in favor of solar and wind energy respectively.

    Other sources of popular renewable energies include hydroelectric and ocean energy, supported by 65 percent and 60 percent of EU citizens respectively.

    Meanwhile EU citizens are very polarized on the issue of nuclear energy with the majority opposing it.

    Thirty-seven percent of EU citizens are against nuclear energy and 20 percent are in favor of it in their country while 36 percent are divided on the issue.

    The Austrians (80 percent), Greeks (73 percent) and Cypriots (70 percent) are the strongest critics of it. None of the countries uses nuclear power plants.

    A higher percentage of Swedes (41 percent), Slovaks and Lithuanians (both 37 percent) favor nuclear energy as a source of energy in their country.

    Nuclear energy is a tough sell among Europeans, especially after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster in the former Soviet Union and what is now Ukraine and Belarus.

    Despite strong opposition to nuclear energy, EU citizens expect its share to stay the same in the future.

    EU citizens expect the energy mix to be more diversified in the future than it is today, with solar energy anticipated to be a key energy source in the future.

    According to the survey, 54 percent of EU citizens find it very important to save on energy and become more energy efficient. But only 21 percent admit they have actually taken action to do so, such as cut down on lighting and heating or replacing their cars with public transport.

    The survey also shows that energy prices are a major concern for Europeans with 33 percent identifying prices as the first energy-related issue coming to mind and 76 percent considering that energy prices will double in the next three years.

    The European Commission is expected to launch a three-year EU energy plan on Wednesday in a bid to cut emissions by 20 percent by 2020.

    The ambitious energy package will envisage stronger targets for energy efficiency, a boost in renewable energy, and more research into low-carbon technologies.

    It is also expected to outline ways to lessen the bloc's dependence on foreign imports of oil and gas which is associated with volatile prices and unreliable sources.