Demir wants to collaborate with the Netherlands for the construction of new nuclear power plants

The Dutch government announced on Friday that it will build two new nuclear power plants in Borssele, just across the border from Belgium. For the construction of these plants it will be necessary to draw up an international report on the environmental impact, in which Flanders will also participate. But for Demir this shouldn’t be the only Flemish contribution.

“It defies imagination what we saw in our country last week,” he told Radio 1 on Saturday morning. “It was always said that there would be no problems with supplies. Last week it suddenly appeared all over the headlines that there is no certainty about the supply for the coming winters. The problem is not in the winter of 2025, but beyond. And if we want to continue to meet all needs, we cannot help but look at nuclear power. This is clean and we have the know-how.’

Netherlands

For this reason, Demir is starting exploratory talks with his Dutch colleague Rob Jetten. He wants Flemish-Dutch cooperation in building these two new nuclear power plants. “Energy is a basic supply and you can’t be too conservative with it,” says Demir.

‘Together with our Dutch colleagues, we want to start a long-term discussion, where a Dutch-Flemish cooperation or co-investment in the construction of new nuclear power plants in the Netherlands is one of the options for me. We are forced to bet on several horsepower to strengthen our energy supply for the future and to reduce our dependence on fossil energy,” says Demir. “If we can thus achieve a joint energy plan for the Netherlands that strengthens Flanders’ energy supply for the future, we should not hesitate.”