Delta NV, EDF work together on nuclear plant

EDF and Delta have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a joint development company to build a second nuclear plant in Borssele, in the province of Zeeland on the southwest coast of the Netherlands. In principle, the Dutch government is in favour of building a new nuclear plant on the conditions that it uses a Generation III reactor design and is sited at a coastal location. Nuclear power contributes about 4 of the Netherlands' electricity, and thanks to a more liberal approach to nuclear power, the government announced in 2006 that Borssele would remain operational past its 40-year lifespan — a milestone that it will reach in 2013 — until 2033.

The Borssele site is home to the country's only nuclear reactor, which has a generating capacity of 485 megawatts. The facility is owned EPZ, a 50:50 joint venture of Delta and Energy Resources Holding ERH.

Delta began the formal process of seeking the government's approval last year, revealing plans to build a 1,600- to 2,500-MW plant by 2018.

"I am very glad to take this important step with the French company EDF, which is a highly experienced owner and operator of nuclear power plants," said Peter Boerma, the CEO of Delta NV. "It is important for a project of this scope not just to find a partner that is experienced in building, running and managing nuclear power plants, but also to find a good match. EDF and Delta have achieved very close and successful cooperation as equal partners for building and operating the 900-MW gas-fired power plant of Sloe, and both consider nuclear energy as an essential part in the energy mix in order to contribute to CO2 emissions reductions."

Marc Boudier, European director of EDF said: "As an operator of 82 nuclear reactors around the world, the EDF Group will provide its operating expertise to the project, as well as its unmatched expertise as an architect-engineer."

Separately ERH, co-owners of the Borssele plant, announced its own plans in September to add up to 2,500-MW of new nuclear capacity at the site. A detailed proposal has been submitted to the government's Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, outlining plans for a plant that will use either a single European Pressurized Reactor, a boiling water reactor or a pair of AP1000 units from Westinghouse Electric Company LLC.