Reactor technology selection process progresses in Netherlands

The design study, known as Front-End Engineering Design (FEED 1), will be carried out in two phases. The first phase (FEED 1a) is not dependent on the location of the nuclear power plants. This allows preparations to continue while the Dutch government progresses the process of selecting a site. Once the Cabinet has taken a draft Preferred Site Decision, the second phase of the study (FEED 1b) will begin. This phase focuses specifically on the selected site. By dividing the study in this way, all non-site-specific activities can continue according to schedule, the Nuclear Energy Organisation of the Netherlands (NEO NL) said.

During the design studies, EDF and Westinghouse will assess how their reactor designs can be aligned with Dutch legislation and regulatory requirements. This includes compliance with construction regulations, licensing requirements, technical standards and the overall project schedule. Potential risks and key areas requiring attention will also be identified at an early stage.

The studies will begin later this year and are expected to take 12-18 months. However, their exact duration will depend on when the Dutch government adopts a draft Preferred Site Decision.

"The outcomes of the studies will provide an important foundation for the further preparation of the nuclear power stations," NEO NL said. "They will also help clearly define which activities will fall under the responsibility of the future owner of the power stations and which responsibilities will remain with the technology supplier."

It added: "At this stage of the process, no decision will be made regarding a technology supplier. This will happen once the official tendering procedure has been completed. This procedure will be initiated at a later stage. The studies will enable EDF and Westinghouse to prepare well-substantiated proposals for the construction of the nuclear power plants. This is expected to contribute to more predictable costs, reduced implementation risks and a robust and carefully managed procurement process."

Earlier feasibility studies

The FEED 1 studies build on the feasibility studies previously carried out for the Dutch government.

EDF of France, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) of South Korea and Westinghouse of the USA were contracted by the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth to conduct feasibility studies into the construction of their respective reactors - the EPR, APR-1400 and AP1000 - in the Netherlands. The studies were to consider whether their designs comply with Dutch legislation and regulations, whether they can be fitted into the preferred location at Borssele, and to develop a more detailed estimate of the costs and time required to build the two new units. The possible impact on the environment was also highlighted in the studies. In November 2024, Amentum was selected to review and advise on the studies submitted by the three potential reactor vendors.

In March last year, the Dutch nuclear regulator - the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection - announced that a review of the feasibility studies submitted by the three vendors suggested that all three designs would meet necessary safety requirements, although KHNP withdrew from the process.

The new design studies represent the next step by assessing the designs in much greater detail against the full range of Dutch legislation and regulatory requirements.

The background

The Netherlands currently has the one, relatively small, nuclear power reactor, at Borssele in the south west of the country. It is a 482 MWe pressurised water reactor which was connected to the grid in 1973 and generates about 3% of the country's electricity.

In December 2021, the Netherlands' new coalition government placed nuclear power at the heart of its climate and energy policy. In addition to keeping the Borssele plant in operation for longer, the government also called for the construction of new reactors. Based on preliminary plans, two new reactors will be completed around 2035 and each will have a capacity of 1000-1650 MWe. The two reactors would provide 9-13% of the country's electricity production in 2035. The cabinet announced in December 2022 that it currently sees Borssele as the most suitable location for the construction of the new reactors. Three other locations are also being considered for the reactors: the Tweede Maasvlakte near Rotterdam, Terneuzen in Zeeland and Eemshaven in Groningen. A location selection is expected next month.

NEO NL was established in February this year with a central role in the preparation, construction, and operation of two new nuclear power plants in the Netherlands.