The Netherlands proposes a coalition agreement: the northern neighbors want to build two new nuclear plants

This afternoon, the fifty-page coalition agreement between VVD, D66, CDA and CU was presented with the theme “Caring for each other and looking to the future”. The document comes about nine months after the parliamentary elections.

The new Rutte IV government has expressed its ambition that our northern neighbors want to be the best in Europe in the fight against global warming.

And to achieve this there will be the Minister of Climate and Energy. This will immediately get a strong package: over the next 10 years, the Netherlands is creating a €35 billion climate and transition fund. These funds are intended, among other things, for the construction of heating, hydrogen and electricity networks. In addition, the money goes to making buildings and the mobility sector more sustainable.

Another 25 billion euros will be allocated until 2035 to address nitrogen files. The Netherlands should be climate neutral by 2050 at the latest. If they succeed, they will achieve the goal of the European Union.

In addition, the Netherlands is committed to building two new nuclear power plants. The Borselli power plant on the Zuid Peninsula – the only one they have at the moment – will remain open for much longer. The shutdown was originally planned for December 31, 2033. It is not yet clear where the two new nuclear power plants will be located.

Nuclear energy is considered by the new government as an addition to the energy mix. The intention is for the government to facilitate and support financially interested parties in the market. “Safe and permanent storage of nuclear waste is assured.”

With the construction of nuclear power plants, the Netherlands wants to be less dependent on gas imports. Nuclear energy can also complement solar, wind and geothermal energy and can be used to produce hydrogen.

The question is how our federal government will respond to Dutch climate and energy plans. Our country wants to shut down all nuclear reactors by 2025 – and in doing so, it will focus on new gas-fired power plants. MR President Georges-Louis Bushes, among others, does not hide the fact that he is not available for a nuclear exit. Flemish Energy Minister Saturn Demir (N-VA) felt that “a new Belgian joke is emerging”. Energy Minister Tine van der Straiten (Green) has asked that Vivaldi’s parties make a final decision before Christmas.

“The Netherlands is making a number of interesting choices,” said Prime Minister Alexander de Croo (Open VLD). “In the field of energy, they are really looking to the future and with an open mind on the technology of the future. We also want to create an energy strategy for the next 30-40 years in our country. We have to run our own policy. Also in Belgium today there are options that need to be evaluated, and that would be a rational choice. This choice has not yet been made.”