There is only one nuclear power station in the Netherlands, Borssele in Zeeland, a province in the rural and remote southwest of the country, across the sea from Belgium.
Early in 2023, the Dutch government said it wanted to see two new reactors built to help the country towards Net Zero. It soon became apparent that building new reactors Borssele 2 & 3 adjacent to the existing reactor was the favoured location.
In March, a group of local politicians came to visit Hinkley C. Local antis asked Stop Hinkley to display a banner opposing Borssele 2 & 3. Although SH missed the actual visit as the banner was delayed in transit, we sent a photo to the local media and this was published and attracted local interest.
Soon after, local antis contacted me and asked if I would come to Zeeland to talk to a meeting of interested local people about the experience of living next to HPC as it went from plans to build. When I said yes, a date was set and the meeting was publicised.
So it was that I found myself getting off a plane in Amsterdam being met by Frits and Mieke who took me on the two hour train journey to Zeeland. After a night in a friend’s B&B, I was on my way to their house for a rehearsal of the presentation we had been working on for several weeks. They posed questions in English, I replied and a presentation took shape. Finally, this was translated into Dutch to be shown to the audience whilst I gave my presentation in sync in English. Questions and answers would follow using a translator/host.
We went out to see the site. Borssele 1 is a small reactor on a designated industrial area. It is well concealed by trees planted on the flat landscape. Also in the area are an oil refinery, a solar farm and several wind turbines. It was obvious that EdeF, the likely constructor, would not be able to fit the completed station, let alone a site the size of HPC, into the available space. Not even taking over the oil refinery, the solar farm and the wind turbines would do it.
We also looked at the whole area. On the beach, I was horrified to see the outfall water from the reactor pouring out still steaming onto the sand. With people fishing from it!
At lunchtime, we met the first of several interested local reporters.
The event in the evening went very well. About 70 people turned up, including local politicians. The translating went very well, helped by the fact that many Dutch people speak excellent English. Before and afterwards, I met more media people, including a local TV journalist who hope to come to see HPC in October. My hosts were very pleased with how everything went. The lengthy Q&A demonstrated how little people knew about the potential impact of a build the size of HPC on their doorstep. Many were really shocked by what I told them.
After the Q&A, I spoke to more reporters. There is also a local citizens’ assembly, ‘The Hundred’. This is made up of 100 people who have volunteered to meet to listen to points of view about Borssele 2 & 3. They will then produce their recommendations, but I get the impression turning the reactors down flat is not on the agenda. Frits and Mieke volunteered but were turned down as members. Neither do those in charge want Frits to talk to them about the downside. I was surprised to learn that I may be invited to address The Hundred in September. I’m keeping the date free!
After another night at the B&B, an early start, but not without breakfast, found me on a train back to Amsterdam and home again by lunchtime. A whirlwind visit but my hosts seemed very pleased and I was glad that Stop Hinkley can spread the word about HPC rather than EdeF.
Roy Pumfrey for Stop Hinkley June 2023