NOS
NOS News•today, 4:36 PM•Adjusted today, 5:54 PM
The House of Representatives wants the cabinet to make plans for the construction of four large nuclear power stations instead of two. A majority voted in favor of a motion by VVD MP Silvio Erkens on this matter.
Nuclear energy is seen as a clean energy source because nuclear power plants emit little CO2. And wind and solar energy are insufficient for Dutch energy demand. That is why a broad majority of PVV, VVD, BBB, Denk, Volt, CDA, ChristenUnie, SGP, FvD and JA21 believe that more should be invested in nuclear energy.
According to the proposal, the two additional nuclear power stations should be able to supply energy from 2040. The House does not specify where they should be located. The cabinet has been instructed to investigate this.
From taboo to popular topic
During the election campaign it was already noticeable that more and more political parties are opting for nuclear energy instead of designating new wind farms. The subject is no longer a taboo and VVD MP Erkens even spoke of “a nuclear renaissance”.
D66 leader Rob Jetten announced during the campaign that his party is no longer a fierce opponent of nuclear energy, but sees it as one of the solutions to the climate problem.
Jetten is preparing the construction of two large nuclear power stations on behalf of the outgoing cabinet. His party today voted against two additional power stations. The party thinks this is a good thing for a new cabinet.
The current cabinet decided at the end of 2022 to build two new large power stations in Borssele. With an accelerated approach, these could be ready in 2035. These power stations should supply 9 to 13 percent of the total electricity.
Support base
Borssele was chosen because there is already a nuclear power plant there and there is support among the population and surrounding municipalities and the province of Zeeland. The new cabinet should make a decision about it.
Eemshaven was removed from the list as a possible location, partly due to the consequences of gas extraction and insufficient support. And the Maasvlakte, which was also looked at, the outgoing cabinet wants to reserve for hydrogen installations.
Whether these locations will again be considered for the two additional nuclear power stations must be determined by the next cabinet.
2024-03-05 16:54:47
#House #Representatives #large #nuclear #power #stations