In the ongoing implementation of the RES (Regional Energy Strategy) we notice that mainly wind and solar energy were considered—but these were not the only technologies available. During the discussions at the Climate Tables, under the leadership of Ed Nijpels, it was quickly (and prematurely) decided that it would be impossible for new nuclear reactors to come online before 2030. These rulings were made 11 years before 2030. However, we see that the nominal construction time for a nuclear power plant in the world is around six years. The nuclear power plant at Borssele was built within five years. The expected construction period of new serial produced SMRs are between two and four years.^26,27,28,29.

Meanwhile, it is questionable whether the RES regions will be able to find sufficient support to achieve the required capacity for wind and solar. It was recently announced that the current RES, if the approved projects are carried out, is successful. But after RES 1, RES 2, 3, 4 and 5 may be possible, and the task ahead will not become any easier for the regions in any case. It remains to be seen whether the approved RES-1 plans are feasible. It is also possible that the current "bids" cannot be fulfilled.

A critical look into RES regions shows that there is an uneven playing field. Not everyone has access to the same resources. For instance, we see large differences in the availability of sufficient wind. A coastal province has more wind resources than provinces that are further inland. Also, due to a lack of support for onshore wind, many regions increasingly prefer solar panels—despite the higher costs, vast space requirements, and the high burden it puts on the grid-operator in terms of required grid-expansions and other overhead costs.

To offer the RES regions an alternative, we propose enabling them to join forces on larger sustainable projects—for example, offshore wind, but also nuclear energy projects. They can then contribute to their RES objectives in proportion to the CO₂-free electricity and heat generated. In a pilot study, we found that more than thirteen locations in eleven provinces in the Netherlands are suitable for the construction of SMRs, which (under optimal conditions) can supply their first electricity before 2030. However, we propose giving RES regions a or two-year grace period to eventually meet their obligations, should there be a delay in the realization of SMRs due to unforeseen government and regulatory pressure.

26 Quote from David Sledzik of GE Hitachi: “For our first of a kind we are looking at 30 months, for our Nth of a kind we are looking at 24 months.”
27 Quote from Scott Rasmussen of NuScale: “For a 12-module plant, our construction-cycle is estimated to be 36 months.”
28 Quote from Mark Mitchell of USNC: “The on-site activity will be completed in a matter of months.”
29 Statements were made at a Conference organized by Fermi Energia: https://youtu.be/nMwdelu7Sjc