5 months ago
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The UK/Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLAs) are proud to support international efforts against nuclear power; in this spirit NFLA Chair Councillor Lawrence O’Neill sent a message of support and solidarity to European protesters at a demonstration held at Borssele to oppose the development of new nuclear power plants at the Dutch town (15 June).
The Borssele nuclear power plant is the only remaining station in the Netherlands. It has been operating since 1973 and has a pressurised water reactor with an output of 484 Mwe. In July 2011, permission was granted to burn MOX fuel for electricity generation.
As in the UK, the new Dutch government coalition was seduced by the false promise that nuclear is essential to achieve a net zero future. On December 15, 2021, the published coalition agreement stated: ‘Nuclear energy could supplement solar, wind and geothermal energy in the energy mix and can be used for the production of hydrogen. It will make us less dependent on gas imports.’ An announcement was made that two more nuclear power plants would be built in the Netherlands; it is suspected that the eventual site for these plants will be at Borssele. There are also plans to extend the operational lifetime of the existing PWR reactor.
A description of the action from the activists involved follows.
At the action, letters from British campaign group Stop Hinkley and the NFLAs were amongst those read out. In his letter, NFLA Chair Councillor O’Neill expresses the common view of British and European Union anti-nuclear activists about the futility of states placing reliance upon nuclear in achieving sustainability: ‘Like you we recognise that nuclear will be too slow to aid humanity in arresting the impact of climate change and that every cent wasted on nuclear is being diverted from investment in the renewables, insulation, energy efficiency, and storage solutions that we all need to make a sustainable energy future possible’.
The text of our message can also be seen below.
For more information, please contact NFLA Secretary Richard Outram by email to richard.outram@manchester.gov.uk
Saturday 15 June, Sealand Netherlands, Borssele, Weelhoekweg. Several hundred activists start gathering from noon. A musician sets the mood, and a choir sings the Sloebordersong. Different solidarity messages from abroad are read. After this, the activists make a human chain along the Weelhoekweg. They clearly want to mark a red line: no expansion of the industrial area and nuclear power station, respect for local nature and for a liveable Borssele.
A diverse gathering of organisations is preparing itself for the Sloeborderaction from 12h30 onwards.
The Sealand Environmental Federation, VELT, Grandparents for the Climate, XR Sealand, different antinuclear organisations, together with still other organising and supporting groups, warm themselves in the cool wind with a warm cup of coffee or tea. The organisers took care to offer warm drinks and refreshments. The sun shines brightly in the beginning. A strong wind powers the many windmills. A choir sings the Sloebordersong, later to be taken over by the human chain. A spokesperson explains the goal of the action. The purpose is to guarantee, as has been promised, that the demarcation-line “Sloegrens” (Sloeborder) is respected by the industry. But this line is under severe threat by different projects, not in the least by the plans of the Dutch government to build two supplementary big nuclear power plants in Borssele.
A diverse group activists gather close to the Sloeborder, for a liveable Borssele. Picture: Laka
International solidarity with the Sloeborderaction
Different solidarity messages from foreign organisations are read. Stop Hinkley from the UK expresses its solidarity. They are campaigning againts the ever more expensive en ever more delayed construction of the twin nuclear power station of Hinkley Point C. The French Sortir du Nucléaire warns for the French EPR (and EPR2) NPP-type. This type is charachterised by huge construction time and cost overruns. The NFLA (Nuclear Free Local Authorities) UK and Ireland warn how nuclear power diverts huge sums of money from the much cheaper and faster renewables and energy savings. Finally the Belgian 11 march movement is pleading for a social just and industrial transition, 100 % away from nuclear, towards a 100% renewable energy system.
Activists form a human chain at the Sloeborder. Picture: Laka
Human chain at the Sloeborder.
Activists start walking along the demarcation-line Sloeborder. They form bit by bit a human chain, chanting slogans and the Sloebordersong “Here at the Sloeborder we stand together. At the border, at the border, at the border, border, border. We have to fight for the landscape. And the border has been reached.” The human chain remains a while, till everybody walks again to the stage tent.
The action ends with two testimonials. Tim Judson from NIRS comes from the USA. He emphasizes that another nuclear player cuts without mercy into the purchasing power of ordinary people. Nearly two decades ago, Westinghouse was assigned the construction of four new nuclear plants. Two of them (VC Summer) never were finished. But the consumers are forced to pay a contribution for the failed project: they pay money for having nothing at all. The two others have experienced huge construction time and cost overruns, raising electricity bills with 20 %. Westinghouse avoids every risk, deferring it to customers and the state.
Warming water of the river Schelde.
Finally two young people take the floor. A young habitant of Borssele doesn’t only want to have no cooling towers of new NPP nearby. Neither he wants to have warm “cooling” water discharged in the river Schelde, because this would burden even more the already burdened life in the Schelde. Another young activist concludes that nature around Borssele should not be further damaged. He thanks all participants of the action, and calls to remain vigilant and actif. Today will not be the last action!
The nuclear power plant in Borssele discharges warm “cooling” water in the river Schelde.
Picture: 11 march movement, Wiebe Eekman, Diana Redig
The NFLAs message of solidarity and support:
Dear Friends,
As Chair of the UK/Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities, I would like to send you our solidarity and support for your protest action against the construction of two new nuclear power plants at Borssele.
Since 1981, the NFLAs has been the voice for local authorities in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland which are opposed to civil nuclear power and in support of renewable energy technologies.
In the UK, we face the threat of a resurgent civil nuclear power programme. In January, the Conservative Government published its civil Nuclear Roadmap with its pipedream plan to complete three new large nuclear power stations, deploy a fleet of so-called ‘small’ and ‘advanced’ modular reactors, and invest in fusion power research and the development of new nuclear fuels.
Now we are in the campaigning period preceding a General Election, and the future of the Roadmap is in doubt. The NFLAs will be lobbying the new government to abandon plans for new nuclear and to embrace a renewable energy future.
Like you we recognise that nuclear will be too slow to aid humanity in arresting the impact of climate change and that every cent wasted on nuclear is being diverted from investment in the renewables, insulation, energy efficiency, and storage solutions that we all need to make a sustainable energy future possible.
In the UK, we have supported local campaigns in opposing the construction of a new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point C, planned for Sizewell C, and recently announced at Wylfa B.
Consequently, we are delighted to wish you every success in your campaign.
In solidarity,
Councillor Lawrence O’Neill,
Chair, UK/Ireland NFLA Steering Committee
