A Role for Nuclear in the Future Dutch Energy Mix Findings of a Study for the Dutch Parliament

Introduction The EU is embarking on the European "Green Deal", with the target to be "climate neutral" by 2050. With majority of EU greenhouse gas emissions coming from production and use of energy, all possible energy sources warrant a new look. Facing the need for a drastic reduction of CO2 emissions over the next couple of decades, while having limited back up options for VREs a potential role of nuclear energy for the Netherlands in 2050 has been raised by the Dutch parliament. Among seven questions raised by the Dutch parliament (motion Yesilgoz-Zegerius/Mulder (2018/2019 35167NR15) of specific interest were prospects and costs of new NPPs including SMRs, comparison with other sources of electricity also considering CO2 costs as well as potential scenarios including nuclear that are possible for the Netherlands. Consideration of the security of supply, reliability, and flexibility as well as new development including hydrogen cycle were important. To respond to the parliamentary motion, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy of the Netherlands launched a "meta-study" to critically assess and compile information from numerous reports while placing those in the specific Dutch perspective. Furthermore, the Study was to examine the cost of electricity from nuclear power plants and other low-carbon electricity sources specifically for the Netherlands.