en.Wedoany.com Reported - A preliminary siting study commissioned by the Dutch province of Overijssel and conducted by Tractebel has identified potential locations for small modular reactors (SMRs). The study, aimed at informing the province's future energy mix choices, employed a comprehensive assessment framework based on the International Atomic Energy Agency's SMR siting criteria, considering factors such as population density, natural risks, cultural heritage, critical infrastructure, cooling water, and distance to the power grid.
The study concludes that many areas in Overijssel are potentially suitable for SMRs with a capacity below 100 megawatts, while for larger SMRs ranging from 100 to 500 megawatts, feasible sites are fewer and mainly concentrated near the IJssel River.
Provincial Executive Member Gert Harm ten Bolscher stated that no decisions have been made yet, and the independent study was conducted to understand opportunities and limitations in order to explore the potential role of SMRs in the province's future energy supply. The province plans to conduct follow-up studies, including public acceptance surveys and how SMRs can be integrated into the power grid. The announcement also emphasized that no environmental impact assessment or safety studies have been carried out, nor has there been communication with residents. No decision has been made regarding SMR deployment, and no specific sites have been designated.
The Netherlands currently operates a pressurized water reactor in Borssele with a net capacity of 485 megawatts, accounting for approximately 3% of the country's total electricity generation. In December 2021, the new Dutch coalition government placed nuclear energy at the core of its climate and energy policy, planning to build two new reactors by around 2035, each with a capacity of 1,000 to 1,650 megawatts, which would then provide 9% to 13% of the nation's electricity. The cabinet announced in December 2022 that Borssele is the most suitable site for construction, with three alternative locations under consideration. A final site selection is expected in September of this year. The Dutch government is also preparing for the potential future deployment of SMRs.
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