December 9, 2022

Thorizon and the new NPP’s in Borsele

Today the official announcement was made by the Dutch government that it will build two new Gen III+ reactors in Borssele. At Thorizon we have received questions if our technology should have been chosen instead, we do not see it this way.

First, we do not see our technology as competing with current technologies, but as complementary to current technologies. The nuclear waste produced by current generation nuclear power plants still contains a lot of energy. In our reactor design we plan to reuse this material, thereby burning it up and releasing a lot of energy in the form of clean steam. This can be used as direct heat in industry or in electricity production. Part of our fuel will be their waste-product, thus creating a beautiful synergy between our technologies. Our reactor could even be built on the same terrain, as our system is smaller in size, and there is enough space on the terrain of EPZ.

Kerncentrale Borssele

Next, the construction of the two nuclear power plants will create nuclear experience and expertise for the Dutch construction sector, this experience is vital for building the Thorizon system. The allocated budget contains a fund especially for the development of the nuclear knowledge base, education, and training of new personnel. This will benefit the nuclear sector as a whole.

We are happy that the Dutch government sees the enormous potential of nuclear energy for a clean and diversified energy mix. Many different technologies are needed to create this energy mix, some who can be deployed today and some who are still being developed. It is important to look both at the short and long term and support the development of all possible options. We aim to have our technology fully developed by the time the new reactors are up and running. To achieve this goal the government needs to support both technologies and support the long-term possibilities in parallel with short term goals.

The full article can on the Dutch government’s decision can be seen here.