The future coalition government of the Netherlands announced its plan to increase offshore natural gas extraction and nuclear energy production. This move aims to reduce the country’s energy dependence on “unreliable nations”.
The plan to increase gas extraction
The draft coalition agreement document mentions that the government will commit to do “everything possible” to comply with previously established international climate commitments, without implementing new restrictions at the national level.
The energy security has been a priority for all four parties that will form the next government, especially after challenges following the loss of access to Russian gas due to the war in Ukraine in 2022. This measure is established as a response, where new long-term contracts will be signed to secure gas reserves and other critical products.
Although production at the vast gas field in the province of Groningen will remain shut in, the document indicates that “gas extraction in the North Sea will be increased” in the coming months as part of the planning.
Production through new energies
The country’s plans to expand offshore wind energy remain unchanged, although the construction of new onshore wind turbines will not be a priority. This leaves the window open for other sustainable energy alternatives.
The pact also reaffirms the commitment to increase nuclear energy production. It is guaranteed that“the Borssele nuclear reactor will remain operational and the construction of two new reactors will continue“. In addition, two additional nuclear reactors are planned, with the possibility of multiple small reactors through public-private partnerships.
In March 2024, the Dutch government updated its plans to build four new nuclear plants by 2040. In early February, the U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Company was awarded a contract to conduct a technical feasibility study on the possible deployment of two Westinghouse AP1000 reactors at the Borssele power plant.
Nuclear energy production
The country currently operates a single nuclear reactor that has been in operation since 1973, located at Borssele, which generates 482 MW of electricity, representing approximately 3% of the country’s total electricity production.
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Source: offshore-technology.com
Photo: Shutterstock
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