By committing to the Paris Agreement, the Netherlands must reduce its CO₂ emissions by 49% to possibly 55% compared to 1990.¹ In the end, these emissions must be reduced to zero. Various technologies are available for the energy production that emit little to no CO₂ such as: wind, solar, geothermal energy, hydropower, and nuclear energy.

Dutch laws, regulations, and national strategy still lack a concrete vision on nuclear energy. In fact, in the past nuclear energy has been shunned or excluded from the discussion. Fortunately, the House of Representatives has asked the government for a market consultation.² Knowledge of the possibilities of nuclear energy in the Netherlands is still insufficient but we  hope that this whitepaper and the outcome of the market consultation will change this.

The e-Lise Foundation is an NGO that wants to increase political, social, and economic support for nuclear energy, based on the knowledge that nuclear energy should play a key role in achieving CO₂ reductions and a fair distribution of wealth and growth in the Netherlands, as well as developing countries.

Nuclear energy is sustainable. It is in practical terms an infinite source of energy because uranium and thorium are virtually inexhaustible. Like wind turbines and solar panels, nuclear power plants do not emit greenhouse gases during power production. Some renewable sources necessary for the transition, such as wind and solar, are now benefiting from government support. Nuclear energy deserves the same support.

So, we have decided to participate in the market consultation. In this white paper we explain what steps the Dutch government must take to support energy companies that want to use nuclear energy. In the annexes we provide insight into the reasons why these steps should be taken.

1 https://www.nu.nl/economie/6096017/europa-schroeft-klimaatdoelen-op-55-procent-minder-co2-uitstoot-in-2030.html
2 The Dijkhoff resolution: https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/detail?id=2020Z16571&did=2020D35893