Two new nuclear reactors in the Netherlands
The new Dutch Government has just launched its new governing coalition which brings together four different political parties.
The coalition document says the Netherlands wants to be “a frontrunner in Europe in combating global warming” and set a climate neutrality goal for 2050 at the latest, with a target of 60% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030. The agreement includes a series of energy and climate policies, which include the construction of two new nuclear power reactors.
The Netherlands have one commercial reactor unit in operation at Borssele, in the province of Zeeland, near the Belgian border, with a 482-MW pressurised water reactor unit which came online in 1973.
The new coalition document says nuclear power can complement generation from renewable energy sources, which will make the Netherlands less dependent on gas imports. It also indicates that the Borssele nuclear power plant will remain in long-term operation as long as nuclear safety is guaranteed, and the government will work to facilitate the deployment of two new nuclear power stations in the country.
The new Dutch coalition will embrace nuclear power as a complement to renewable energies to make the Netherlands less dependent on gas imports
Last year, the operator of Borssele said the government should consider keeping the plant open for longer than planned and building an additional two units of up to 1,500 MW each.
In 2020, Borssele produced 3.3% of the Netherlands’ electricity, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Government data shows that 60% of the country’s electricity in 2020 came from gas-fired generation, while solar, wind contributed 6% and 13%. Coal was still present with a 7% share.
Source: NucNet
The Borsele nuclear power plant will remain in long-term operation as long as nuclear safety is guaranteed
