Netherlands advances plans for new nuclear plants amid fierce regional opposition

The Dutch cabinet is keeping open the option of building new nuclear power plants near Eemshaven in Groningen and in Terneuzen in Zeeland, sparking sharp political and public resistance in both regions. No final choice has been made, but the government expects to choose a preferred location by the end of the year.

State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat, a CDA official, said there is still no decision. He acknowledged weak support in Groningen but confirmed both northern sites remain under consideration. “They see me as unwelcome there, because they simply do not want nuclear energy,” he said. He described the choice as a dilemma: “Groningen: technically feasible, no support. Zeeland: support, but technically a challenge.”

Grid operator TenneT said Eemshaven is, from a technical grid perspective, the best option for nuclear development. In contrast, Terneuzen would require major investment in the electricity grid to handle and transmit the generated power.

The cabinet plans to build two nuclear power plants. Initially, seven locations were considered, but four have been dropped, including the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam for various reasons. As a preparatory step, the government has also applied a "preemption right” on two locations, giving the state first right to purchase land if owners decide to sell. Alongside large reactors, the cabinet is also exploring smaller modular reactors (SMRs), though no concrete plans exist yet. “What type and where—all of that is now being investigated,” De Bat said.

Groningen authorities and municipalities Het Hogeland and Eemsdelta strongly oppose the Eemshaven option, arguing it violates earlier agreements with The Hague. The province and Het Hogeland municipality plan to fight the decision and are looking toward a parliamentary debate on nuclear energy scheduled for July 2. “Our call is: get us out of this,” Alderman Eltjo Dijkhuis of Het Hogeland said. He added that legal action is not ruled out if necessary.

They insist the region should instead focus on offshore wind landing and hydrogen development. They also note prior government positions that avoided nuclear development in Groningen due to severe damage from gas extraction. The provincial government reacted angrily after leaks indicated Eemshaven remained under consideration.

Terneuzen also remains a contested site. The potential locations include Mosselbanken and the Paulinapolder. Local politics is divided. Alderman Laszlo van de Voorde (sustainability) said, “When it comes to support, it is tense.” He added that if nuclear plants are built, they must fit within a broader development plan, including high-quality employment, major government investment in green residential areas, and strong safety guarantees. He also warned it would be painful if residents of the Paulinapolder had to relocate, adding that industry land would be the preferred option.

Neighboring municipality Sluis said decisions should only be made after the full regional impact is understood, calling for an integrated approach covering safety, livability, nature, accessibility, and services. The municipality of Borsele noted that years of debate have already created prolonged uncertainty for residents and businesses.

Opposition in Groningen has intensified. Dijkhuis accused the cabinet of using an “overhaul tactic.” He said, “Like a thief in the night, the state is carrying out an operation over the backs of the Groningers that it says it would not do.” He added that letters had already arrived for landowners and criticized the speed of communication with the government. “If you trust each other, you deal with things differently. This gives us the impression the cabinet really wants to force through nuclear power. We see no careful process, no cooperation, but an overtaking tactic.”

Groningen provincial official Pascal Roemers said he was “astonished” and called the approach “very improper.” He pointed to earlier assurances that Eemshaven would only be included for legal reasons and stressed that Groningen should not host a nuclear plant after decades of gas extraction damage. “Agreement is agreement; that is what we expect from the cabinet,” he said.

Environmental organization WISE called the decision to keep Eemshaven under consideration a “scandal” for people in Groningen. “Invest in offshore wind instead. Then you also do not break your political promise,” a spokesperson said. The group added, “As far as we are concerned, nuclear energy does not fit in the Netherlands, and that is confirmed in the parliamentary letter.” It argued that Terneuzen would be extremely costly, leaving Groningen as the only realistic option, which it said directly contradicts local opposition. Groningen officials have already announced plans to resist the proposal.

The Zeeland-based group Borsele tot de Kern welcomed the removal of Borsele from consideration but expressed concern for Groningen and Terneuzen residents. The group warned that construction could last 15 to 20 years, causing major disruption, followed by at least 80 years of safety and health risks. It also warned that agriculture and protected natural areas, including salt marshes along the Western Scheldt with rare vegetation, could be harmed if Paulinapolder is selected.