From the Borssele Conditions Group, municipal councils, Provincial States and area connector Raymond Knops, attention has been drawn to the sum of all spatial developments around the arrival of energy projects and quality of life. Province of Zeeland, the municipalities of Borsele, Terneuzen and Vlissingen and North Sea Port have therefore listed initial preliminary spatial findings. The focus is on the possible arrival of three major energy projects: new nuclear power plants, Connections Landing Offshore Wind (VAWOZ) 2031-2040 and 380 kV connection with Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.
Three scenarios
Under the working title ‘Spatial Puzzle’, three ‘what if’ scenarios have been developed based on the three possible Zeeland locations for new nuclear power plants. Each scenario has a high-level map with an indicative location of the different functions and a Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats (SWOT) analysis. These preliminary findings help the Zeeland parties to respond from a shared information base and in unison to the ongoing project procedures from the national government.
Shared preliminary insights
The scenario analysis offers the following shared preliminary insights:
- Each scenario has its own challenges in terms of feasibility, integration and accessibility of the nuclear power plants.
- For VAWOZ 2031-2040, the region wants a maximum of two landings on the coast of West Zeeuws-Vlaanderen via the shortest route over land.
- The region wants the 380 kV connection with Zeeuws-Vlaanderen only as an underground connection, including the land route in Borsele.
- The Thermphos site is very suitable for a hydrogen cluster of import, storage and production due to its location, accessibility and available space. It is essential that safety and the development opportunities in Vlissingen remain guaranteed, also along the supply routes.
- Parties are positive about SMR developments.
- In all scenarios, it is desirable to establish a green buffer zone around the Sloe area and the Canal zone.
Living document
The spatial puzzle is a living document. This puzzle becomes clearer on the one hand, for example when the national government takes a location decision about the two new nuclear power plants. On the other hand, there will also be new developments that require space. Some aspects require further research. There is still insufficient information about the (cumulative) safety and the balance between energy demand and supply of the different scenarios. Further research is being done on this. In addition, the ongoing participation processes in Borsele, Terneuzen, Vlissingen and Zeeland can also lead to new insights.
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