Climate and Energy Minister Rob Jetten writes to the House of Representatives that the two new nuclear power plants the cabinet wants to build should preferably be located at Borssele. It keeps the Maasvlakte open as a possible alternative.
The cabinet will not make a final choice of location until the end of 2024, after the environmental impacts have been mapped. The new nuclear power plants are expected to be commissioned around 2035.
Today the Council of Ministers gave the definitive green light to the project of the new nuclear power plants, the guidelines for which had already been leaked to the media last week. Jetten wants to hurry and has therefore already started the exploratory search. For example, he has held talks with the provinces of Zeeland, South Holland, the municipalities involved and various companies.
Intervention environment
The minister will have an environmental impact assessment carried out before finally choosing a location. This report lists the consequences for the surroundings of Borssele and Maasvlakte. Citizens, local authorities and other interested parties, including in neighboring Belgium, also have the opportunity to express their views.
Borssele is preferred by the cabinet because there is enough space here to build two power plants in one place, which is more efficient. There is also a nuclear power plant here, which means that there is already a nuclear waste repository, for example. The cabinet also intends to keep the existing power station open for longer. In addition, the necessary expertise is already there and the new power plants can easily be combined with offshore wind farms, whose energy comes ashore here, says Jetten.
Prevent budget overruns
Upon completion in 2035, the two reactors will together account for 9 to 13 percent of electricity generation. By not yet specifying exactly how much electricity needs to be produced, the minister is keeping as many options open for nuclear power plant companies to choose from.
The government has set aside an ‘indicative budget’ of 5 billion euros for nuclear power plants. In the past, budgets for nuclear power plants were routinely exceeded and construction often took longer than anticipated. This is also why companies are asking governments to assume much of the risk. Jetten also plans to do this, but is still figuring out exactly how the funding will be arranged. He hopes to minimize the possibility of a deferral or budget overrun through careful preparation.
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
