Nuclear Power in the Netherlands - The Home of the Windmill?

Wind Energy / Economics

Date posted: 08/05/15

The WNO reports that the Netherlands has one nuclear reactor generating almost 4% of its electricity. At least one large new unit is proposed. Its first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1973. A previous decision to phase out nuclear power has been reversed. Public and political support is increasing for expanding nuclear energy. Its main research reactor produces about 60% of European medical radioisotopes. Nuclear power has a small role in the Dutch electricity supply, with the Borssele reactor providing about 3.9% of total generation - 2.9 billion kWh in 2013. In 2013, a total of 99 billion kWh gross was generated. Natural gas provided 53 TWh, coal 28 TWh, biofuels and waste 7.5 TWh, wind 5.6 TWh, and 18 TWh net import. Imports were 21.8 TWh net from Germany and 5.6 TWh from Norway, with exports 5.9 TWh net to UK and 4.3 TWh net to Belgium. Per capita consumption is about 6400 kWh per yr. Electricity production in the Netherlands has been liberalized. Several market parties have indicated their interest in building a new nuclear reactor in the country. Because of exhaustion of some of the natural gas fields, and increasing public acceptance of the environmental advantages of nuclear power, there was a marked shift in the position of some political parties in favor of new nuclear build-out. The questions arises where are all the windmills in the Netherlands? The answer - They are not economic and they require too much space and O and M.