On Friday 28 October, KIVI Kerntechniek held a well-attended symposium with over 100 participants on the question of what is needed to realise the Dutch government's plans to build new nuclear power plants. To answer this question, the Kerntechniek board had invited a wide range of experts to shed their light on the plans.

André Faaij (TNO Energietransitie) argued that all technologies are needed and that nuclear power can noticeably reduce the overall cost of aCO2-free energy supply. Nuclear power is especially a solution to the future space shortage in the North Sea with future expansion of offshore wind farms.

Rüdiger König, a consultant with experience at Jacobs and RWE, among others, described the problems facing new build projects in Europe. He argued for a strong role of the government creating the framework conditions and underlined the need for a good organisational model. The current way of organising often leads to problems, especially in the interaction between customer, supply chain and regulator.

Geert-Jan de Haas (NRG) described the nuclear sector's labour market challenges. Realisation of all plans will require a 60% increase in the number of employees at nuclear companies in the Netherlands. This, and the ageing of the sector, calls for an intensification of the research and education programme in which MBO and HBO also have a role to play.

Bram-Paul Jobse, CFO of EPZ, outlined the Dutch energy puzzle to be solved in the coming years. EPZ wants to become operator of two new nuclear power plants in Borssele; there is also room for it. EPZ's commitment is a proven concept that is licensable in the Netherlands without the need to modify the concept. To realise these plans - EPZ does not have the financial resources to do so - EPZ is looking for partners. For the longer term, it is considering SMRs for the benefit of industrial activities in Zeeland.

Rick Bulk, 'Licences' team leader at ANVS, discussed the licensing process for new nuclear power plants. Thanks to the PALLAS project, the ANVS, more than other regulators in Europe, is well prepared for the licensing process of new nuclear power plants. The licensing process starts with a 2-year preliminary process for opinion-making and is followed by a 6-month formal procedure for decision-making. This results in a notification draft decision on which views can be submitted. By the way, a number of SMR concepts are 90% proven technology and are therefore licensable in the Netherlands.

The meeting ended with a presentation by Claude Jaouen of the consultancy company Nuclear-21 on the five steps or critical success factors that determine the readiness of nuclear projects:

  1. Regulation/permitting: be prepared and do not underestimate the time commitment. For instance, getting an existing concept licensed in a new country should be seen as a First-Of-A-Kind.
  2. Maturity of a design: no detail design during construction yet detail design
  3. Supply chain preparation: there is a lack of trained workforce and manufacturers of qualified components in Europe.
  4. Programme management: make good agreements on who has the roles of owner, operator and contractor, and what exactly those roles entail. Experience is crucial.
  5. Infrastructure, competences and training: this ties in with previous presentations.

In his view, a new, large nuclear power plant in the Netherlands could not operate until 2035 at the earliest. A water-cooled SMR could possibly run a little earlier

The Kerntechniek board looks back on a lively, energetic symposium. Participants and speakers see a good future for nuclear power in the Netherlands but everyone is aware of the many challenges, especially in mobilising the labour market. Enough food for thought and for another symposium in the near future.

New nuclear power What will it take? on 28 October 2022 in Utrecht

The government has announced plans to prepare for the construction of two nuclear power plants after the year 2030. To realise this plan, many preparatory steps are still needed. KIVI's Nuclear Technology Department in collaboration with the Dutch Nuclear Society (NNS) is organising a symposium on the theme "New nuclear energy What does it take?". This is a full-day symposium, with lunch and drinks afterwards. The chairman of the day will be Ronald Schram (NRG). The working language will be partly English and partly Dutch.

The programme is as follows:

09:30 Reception

10:00 Opening morning programme (10)

10:10 1. Development of a national New Nuclear Power Program (Rúdiger König, independent consultant) (40)

10:50 Coffee (20)

11:10 2. Why KE in the NL energy mix? (André Faaij, TNO) (40)

11:50 3. Competences, training/skills/qualification (Geert-Jan Haas, NRG) (40)

12:30 Lunch (60)

13:30 Opening afternoon programme (10)

13:40 4. New nuclear energy What does it take? Operator's vision and strategy; Bram-Paul; Jobse (EPZ) (40)

14:20 5. Regulation of new reactors (Rick Bulk, ANVS) (40)

15:00 Coffee/tea/refreshments (20)

15:20 6. Supply chain, engineering support, TSOs (Claude Jaouen, Nuclear-21/EVOCATI) (40)

16:00 7. Panel discussion (45) (English)

16:45 Closure (15)

17:00 Drinks (60)

The fee for KIVI members, students and NNS/Kernvision patrons is 10 euros and 25 euros for non-members. This includes coffee, refreshments, lunch and drinks.

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