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Nuclear power in the Netherlands

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Nuclear power plants in the Netherlands(view)
 Active plants
 Closed plants

The Netherlands' only commercial nuclear reactor is Borssele nuclear power plant, which became operational in 1973 and as of 2011 produces 485 MW and about 4% of the country's electricity.[1]

The older Dodewaard nuclear power plant was a test reactor that was later attached to the national grid but was closed in 1997.

The Netherlands hosts two active research reactors, the 45 MW HFR in Petten, North Holland, and the 2 MW RID in Delft, part of the physics department of Delft University of Technology. Neither of these two are designed for energy provision, but are used as a neutron- and positron-source for research and medical isotope production.

History

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Pre-2000s

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Researchers in the Netherlands began studying nuclear energy in the 1930s and began the construction of research reactor at then Reactor Centrum Nederland (today Energy & Health Campus) in 1955. The researchers' goal was to introduce nuclear power technology by 1962 and reduce the need for fossil fuels.

Timeline of all nuclear reactors (power and non-power) built in the Netherlands (1955 - 2024)

In the 1970s, the Dutch chose a policy that required the reprocessing of all spent nuclear fuel. In 1984, the government decided to create a long-term (100 years) storage facility for all intermediate and low-level radioactive waste and research strategies for ultimate disposal. In September 2003, the Central Organization for Radioactive Waste created an interim storage facility for high-level waste.

In 1994, the Netherlands' parliament voted to phase out nuclear power after a discussion of nuclear waste management. In 1997, the power station at Dodewaard was shut down and the government planned to end Borssele's operating license in 2003. In 2003, with a new government in power, the shutdown was postponed to 2013.[2] In 2006, the government decided that Borssele would remain open until 2034, if it complied with the highest safety standards. The owners, Essent and Delta, would invest 500 million euros in sustainable energy, together with the government's money, which, the government claims, should have otherwise been paid to the plant's owners as compensation.[citation needed] After the 2010 election, the new government was open to expanding nuclear power. Both of the companies that share ownership of Borssele are proposing to build new reactors.[3][4]

Post-2000s

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In January 2012, Delta announced the postponing of any decision to start building a second nuclear power plant.

In November 2018, a majority of the Dutch parliament supported the construction of new nuclear power plants.

In November 2019, an opinion poll found that 61% of Dutch voters are in favor of the installation of new nuclear plants in the Netherlands, with a noticeable discrepancy between right- and left-wing voters.[5]

In December 2021, the Fourth Rutte cabinet stated that it wants to prepare for the construction of two new nuclear power plants in order to reduce CO2 emissions and meet the European Union goals for tackling climate change.[6] Part of this preparation is the launch of a feasibility study, looking at the advantages and disadvantages of the use of nuclear power to tackle climate change.[7]

In December 2022, the Fourth Rutte cabinet designated the existing Borssele nuclear power plant site as the preferred location for two new reactors. It has also called for a feasibility study into extending the operation of the existing Borssele plant beyond 2033.[8] The House of Representatives later urged the government to investigate the construction of two more reactors.[9]

In 2023, the Dutch government announced a significant expansion of its nuclear energy program, proposing the construction of at least four large nuclear reactors by 2040, a substantial increase from the initial goal of two reactors. To support this, funding will be more than tripled from €4.5 billion to €14 billion. A tender process is slated to begin by mid-2025 to select technology for the first two large reactors, potentially involving major global suppliers such as EDF, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and Westinghouse. Additionally, the existing Borssele nuclear power plant site has been designated for two of the new reactors, targeted for completion by 2035, and the plan includes considering additional nuclear stations, such as small modular reactors, to enhance the country's energy independence and sustainability.[10]

Reactors in the Netherlands

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In total, 10 nuclear reactors (2 power generating and 8 non-power generating) of various sizes and uses have been built in the Netherlands.

Reactor Name Location Reactor Type Power (Thermal) Power (Electric) Neutron Spectrum Moderator Construction Start First Criticality Final Shutdown Decommissioning Completed
KSTR Arnhem Homogenous 100 kW N/A Thermal Light Water 28/02/1963[11] 22/05/1974 1977 1991
BARN Wageningen ? 100 kW N/A Thermal Light Water ?/05/1961 09/04/1963 01/02/1980 14/10/2009
HOR Delft Pool type research reactor 2 MW N/A Thermal Light Water ?/11/1958 1963? In Operation N/A
KRITO Petten Zero power critical assembly <100W N/A Thermal Light Water ? 29/03/1963 19/04/1967 Converted into STEK
STEK[12] Petten Zero power critical assembly <100W N/A Fast-Thermal Light Water + Graphite 19/04/1967 22/05/1969 ?/?/1973 ?
ATHENE Eindhoven Pool type research reactor 10 kW N/A Thermal Light Water 08/06/1966 06/02/1969 ?/?/1973 ?
LFR Petten Argonaut 30 kW N/A Thermal Light Water ?/12/1959[13] 28/09/1960 ?/12/2010 2013
HFR Petten Materials testing/research reactor 45 MW N/A Thermal Light Water 28/08/1957 09/11/1961 In Operation N/A
Doodewaard Dodewaard Boiling water reactor ? 60 MW Thermal Light Water 23/09/1963 26/03/1969 26/03/1997 Likely 2040
Borssele Sloe, Zeeland Pressurised water reactor ? 485 MW Thermal Light Water 02/07/1969 20/06/1973[14] In Operation - Likely 2033 N/A

Domestic production and imports

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Nuclear energy contributes about 10% of the electricity used in the Netherlands, primarily sourced from the Borssele nuclear power station. The plant produces approximately 4 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of nuclear energy annually, providing enough electricity to power over 1 million homes. Additionally, the Netherlands supplements its domestic nuclear energy production by importing electricity from nuclear power plants in neighboring countries, notably France and Germany.[15]

Nuclear energy Consumption 2011-2021 (EJ input-equivalent)[16]: 41 
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
0.04 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.03

Nuclear policy

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The Dutch nuclear sector is regulated by a comprehensive legal framework, prominently outlined in the Nuclear Energy Act (NEA). This framework law establishes basic rules for the use of nuclear technologies and materials and includes provisions for radiation protection. It designates competent authorities and defines their responsibilities. Supplementing the NEA are various orders in council, royal decrees, ministerial and ANVS (Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection) regulations, as well as the Nuclear Safety Guidelines. These guidelines, which apply to nuclear installations and facilities, are based on IAEA Safety Standards and other relevant international codes and standards, which are integral to the licensing process for reactors.[17]: 283–4 

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Nuclear Power in the Netherlands". World Nuclear Association (WNA). January 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  2. ^ "Nuclear Power in the Netherlands". World Nuclear Association. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  3. ^ Orlowski, Andrew (10 February 2011). "Holland slashes carbon targets, shuns wind for nuclear". The Register. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  4. ^ Gassmann, Michael (8 February 2011). "Energiepolitik: Holland plant strahlende Zukunft". Financial Times Deutschland (in German). Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  5. ^ Maurice de Hond (3 November 2019). "Grote verschillen tussen kiezers regeringspartijen t.a.v. Klimaatplannen" (PDF). Peil.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Nederland wil twee nieuwe kerncentrales bouwen". De Standaard (in Flemish). 15 December 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Dit weten we van de miljardenplannen van het aanstaande kabinet-Rutte IV". nos.nl (in Dutch). 13 December 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Borssele earmarked for two new reactors".
  9. ^ "Tweede Kamer wil vier grote kerncentrales in plaats van twee" [House of Representatives wants four major nuclear power plants instead of two]. NOS (in Dutch). 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Netherlands: New Government Commits to Expanded New Nuclear Role". Energy Intelligence. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  11. ^ "KEMA krijgt vergunning opstarten KSTR | Kernenergie in Nederland". web.archive.org. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  12. ^ Kippel, H. Th. (February 1974). "THE COUPLED FAST-THERMAL CRITICAL FACILITY STEK" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  13. ^ Boogardt, M. (26 October 1960). "De Lage Flux Reactor te Petten" (PDF). De Ignenieur. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Algemeen Dagblad". 21 June 1973. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  15. ^ Zaken, Ministerie van Algemene (26 July 2017). "Nuclear energy – Renewable energy – Government.nl". government.nl. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  16. ^ "bp Statistical Review of World Energy" (PDF). bp.com (71st ed.). 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  17. ^ International Energy Agency, IEA. "The Netherlands 2020 Energy Policy Review" (PDF). iea.org. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
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