The province of North Brabant has many areas where an SMR, a small nuclear power plant, could be located. At the request of the Provincial Council, the Brabant council had the nuclear service provider NRG Pallas investigate where there is technically room for a Small Modular Reactor (SMR). The conclusion is that there are many possibilities in North Brabant, especially in the northern part along the major rivers and on industrial estates that require a lot of energy.
The report mentions, among other things, the Theodorushaven near Bergen op Zoom, the business park in Veghel and the port and industrial area of Moerdijk.
‘Research says nothing about desirability’
The province emphasizes that a nuclear power plant does not fit in with the agreements made with the government and municipalities about expanding industry in Moerdijk. There must be room for all kinds of energy projects. This may be at the expense of the village of Moerdijk.
According to the province, the study says nothing about ‘the desirability of or decision-making about’ locations for small modular reactors. Brabant will take the results into account when drawing up an ‘energy perspective’ for 2050.
Cabinet sees ‘potential’
Other provinces are also investigating the possibilities of SMRs, which are expected to be faster and cheaper to build than a traditional nuclear power plant. The cabinet sees ‘potential’ in it. They are seen as a possible energy source of the future, although their development worldwide is still early.
Four SMRs are now under construction in Canada at a total cost of an estimated €14 billion. The first must supply electricity in 2030.
Gelderland wants two possible locations
The province of Gelderland arrived at the beginning of this year already with four suitable areas outside and wants to identify two possible locations for an SMR after further research. However, the cabinet has stated that the first project in the Netherlands must take place under the direction of the government.