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The Dutch state has reached a provisional agreement on an indirect 70 per cent stake in EPZ, the operator of Borssele nuclear power station. The government aims to make extended operation possible through the acquisition, but it is not yet certain that the power station will remain open beyond 2033.
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The acquisition will take place through ZEH Energy. The state has agreed to buy all shares in that company from the province of Zeeland and Zeeland municipalities. ZEH Energy owns 70 per cent of EPZ, the operator of Borssele nuclear power station. The remaining 30 per cent of EPZ will stay with German energy company RWE, the Dutch government reported on 23 September. [1]
The transfer is not yet final. Parliament and the current shareholders must first approve the provisional agreement. The government announcement gives no date for the transfer.
A purchase price of €115.7 million has been agreed for the shares. The central government will also provide €119 million in capital as a shareholder. That separate contribution is intended to keep the company financially stable, for example by covering ongoing costs. [1]
According to the Dutch government, the province and Zeeland municipalities wanted to sell their stake because they saw no role for themselves as shareholders in keeping the power station open for longer.
The Senate approved an amendment to the Nuclear Energy Act this week. This was needed to allow extended operation: the law specified 2033 as Borssele's closing year. [1]
The share purchase agreement and the legislative amendment do not mean that the power station will actually remain open beyond 2033. The shareholders still have to make an investment decision on this.
EPZ must also still apply for a licence to keep the power station operating for longer. The Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection must then assess whether this can be done safely. [1]
1 listed sources · explore evidence, limitations and provenance.
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