Reactors

Nuclear energy cooperative launches in the Netherlands

The Atomic Cooperative was recently established to contribute to shaping the future of a clean and secure energy supply in the Netherlands.
Nuclear energy cooperative launches in the Netherlands
(Image credit: Lukáš Lehotský on Unsplash)

The Atomic Cooperative was established to ensure citizens and businesses can participate in the construction of nuclear power plants and share in the benefits.

Its members also aim to contribute to shaping the future of a clean and secure energy supply in the Netherlands.

To expedite the construction of new nuclear power plants, members of The Atomic Cooperative aim to have the opportunity to acquire shares in a new nuclear power plant and to invest in it. Their primary concern is ensuring a continuous and cost-effective supply of nuclear power.

Additionally, they propose that nuclear power plants should also provide heat, for example, for horticulture. The Atomic Cooperative will collaborate with various stakeholders.

The Atomic Cooperative is already involved in a regional project in Limburg for the potential construction of a Small Modular Reactor (SMR), and, according to the group, there are plenty more opportunities.

Six provinces have expressed interest in building an SMR, and the government plans to construct two new nuclear power plants. The involvement of the Cooperative in these projects can significantly increase public support.

“There are already numerous energy cooperatives in the Netherlands where people can become co-owners of a wind farm or solar field,” says Patrick Bauduin, co-founder of The Atomic Cooperative. “We want to make this possible for nuclear power plants as well and hope to see citizens and businesses have a say and benefit when a nuclear power plant is built.”

“The broad support for nuclear energy in both politics and society is undeniable,” says co-founder Wim Fleuren. “We are currently heavily investing in solar and wind energy, but everyone knows that such power is weather-dependent. We need a stable and reliable energy supply, and nuclear energy will help us achieve that. We want to sit at the table with government officials, residents, and businesses to motivate them to invest in reliability and affordability. By working cooperatively, we can accelerate progress and bring the benefits and burdens of nuclear energy closer together.”

The initiators are volunteering their efforts for the cooperative and rely on member participation. “The Dutch are eager for reliable and clean energy facilities that can make coal and gas obsolete,” says co-initiator Olguita Oudendijk. “All too often, citizens and businesses are left in a state of limbo. We want to change that.”

The Atomic Cooperative already has 150 members. All members have been invited to a meeting on Thursday 31 October at the White House in Amsterdam. VVD Member of Parliament Silvio Erkens and CDA Member of Parliament Derk Boswijk, both spokespersons for climate and energy, are among the speakers. CDA faction leader Henri Bontenbal has also confirmed his attendance.

Originally published in Power Engineering International.

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