The Executive Board of Gedeputeerde Staten has updated the Zeeland conditions for the possible arrival of nuclear power plants. With this package, the Province clarifies what it finds important if the national government decides that new nuclear power plants will be built in Zeeland. This location choice lies with the national government. The updated conditions will be submitted for decision-making to Provinciale Staten .
Importance of energy mix
Province of Zeeland sees that a robust energy mix is important for Zeeland and the Netherlands. Nuclear energy can play a role in this. At the same time, the impact of nuclear power plants is significant for a region like Zeeland. Therefore, Zeeland safeguards its interests with this update in the areas of spatial integration, living environment, labor market, education, housing, and infrastructure. A strict condition is that no cooling towers will be built in the Zeeland landscape. The Province also focuses on the development of a nuclear knowledge center to strengthen knowledge and innovation in the region.
Update based on multiple studies
The update is based on multiple studies, including an extensive participation process. Nearly 500 people were spoken to on the street and over 800 Zeelanders completed a survey. Conversations were also held with entrepreneurs and seven meetings took place at six different Zeeland schools. In addition to a digital survey, a conscious choice was made to go out on the street and visit schools. Especially to reach residents who do not easily participate on their own. Young people are an important target group because they will directly face the consequences in the future. The results of these conversations are recorded in a participation report and incorporated into the tightened conditions.
Supply Chain study
The study on the nuclear supply chain in Zeeland shows, according to the researchers, that the economic potential for Zeeland businesses is between 3.1 and 4.6 billion euros over a 12-year construction period for two new nuclear power plants in Zeeland. The study concludes that to realize this potential, companies need to prepare in time with certification among other things, and that NEO NL as client of the nuclear power plants must also make clear agreements with the main contractor about regional involvement of companies (the so-called localization). Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of setting up a regional nuclear platform where governments, knowledge institutions, and businesses work closely together to share knowledge, serve as a point of contact, and initiate developments.
Deputy Johan Aalberts: “The arrival of nuclear power plants is a decision by the national government. If that decision falls on Zeeland, we want it to be done carefully and that we invest together in the region. Clear agreements in advance are essential.”