Dutch Energy minister wants to build new nuclear power plants near Belgian border

The Dutch government has recently approved the construction of two new nuclear power plants. Energy minister Rob Jettenhe wants to have them built in Borssele, Zeeland, close to the Belgian border. However, the Maasvlakte is also an option. He wrote this in a letter to the Dutch Lower House. 

The government will not make a final choice until the end of 2024 at the earliest. First, minister Jetten will have an environmental impact assessment carried out. Citizens, local authorities and other stakeholders, including those in Belgium, will also be given the chance to give their opinions in the process. 

On Friday, the Dutch council of ministers gave the final green light to the plans for the new nuclear power plants. Jetten wants to hurry and has already started exploratory research. For instance, he has held talks with the provinces of Zeeland and South Holland, the municipalities and several companies.

Borssele is preferred by the government because there is enough space to build two power plants in one location, which is more efficient. Also, there is already a nuclear power plant here. That means there is already storage for nuclear waste, for example. The plan is also to keep the existing plant open longer.

The cabinet has set aside an "indicative budget" of €5 billion for the nuclear plants. In the past, budgets for nuclear power plants have regularly been exceeded and construction often took longer than estimated. The new nuclear power plants are scheduled to be in commission around 2035.

^{© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}