State buys majority stake in Borssele operator
The takeover is intended to make a longer operating life possible, but a new operating licence is still required.
The Dutch state is buying 70 per cent of the shares in EPZ, operator of the Borssele nuclear power station. The transaction means the state is taking on greater financial risk from Zeeland, while a longer operating life has not yet been secured.
The state is paying €115.7 million for the shares currently held by the Zeeuwse Energie Houdstermaatschappij. In addition, the state is making €119 million available as a shareholder, including for ongoing costs. The remaining 30 per cent of EPZ will remain owned by the German energy company RWE.
The transfer still depends on approval from parliament, the province of Zeeland and the municipalities involved. The Zeeland authorities had previously indicated that they wanted to end their shareholding if Borssele were to continue operating beyond its original end date.
The nuclear power station began operating in 1973. Under current legislation, its operating licence runs until the end of 2033. The cabinet may allow the station to continue producing until 2054, provided that safety and technical feasibility can be sufficiently demonstrated.
This week, the Senate approved an amendment to the Nuclear Energy Act that makes a longer operating life legally possible. That decision does not amount to permission to let the station operate for longer automatically. EPZ must still apply for a licence from the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS).
The takeover is part of a broader decision to give nuclear power a greater role in the Dutch electricity supply. Supporters point to its constant output and limited direct use of fossil fuels. At the same time, costs, ageing research, waste management and the financial risks of a volatile electricity market remain part of the assessment.
For Zeeland, the main change concerns the distribution of risks. The province and municipalities will receive money for their shares, while the state will take responsibility for the shareholding and future investments. The parliamentary and licensing procedures ahead will determine whether the announced takeover actually leads to the continuation of operations after 2033.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The state intends to acquire 70 per cent of EPZ.
- The current end date is 2033.
- A longer operating life requires additional decision-making and licensing.
- The state is taking on greater financial and administrative responsibility for the station.
Left
Arguments Public ownership can prevent a strategic energy supply from being driven solely by market interests. At the same time, the state must be transparent about costs, risks and alternatives.
Values Public control, affordability, safety and protection of future generations.
Consequences Greater control can better safeguard societal objectives, but losses and setbacks will fall more clearly on taxpayers.
Centre
Arguments The takeover may be defensible if it supports security of supply and the risks remain manageable. Safety, an independent licensing procedure and a businesslike cost-benefit analysis must remain the guiding principles.
Values Continuity, competent governance, the rule of law and financial prudence.
Consequences The station may remain available for longer, but only after new investment and a long-term public commitment.
Right
Arguments Nuclear power provides stable electricity and reduces dependence on weather-dependent sources and foreign fuels. The state should therefore remove practical obstacles and provide clarity quickly.
Values Energy independence, security of supply, national strategic autonomy and economic growth.
Consequences Delays may cause higher energy and system costs; public participation is justified as long as safety and returns are monitored seriously.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The central claims can be traced to ANP and official government documents. The text clearly distinguishes between the proposed purchase, the legislative amendment and the operating licence that is still outstanding.
- confirmed The state is buying 70 per cent of EPZ for €115.7 million. — Reported by ANP. source
- confirmed RWE is retaining 30 per cent of EPZ. — Reported by ANP. source
- confirmed Under the current legal situation, Borssele will operate until the end of 2033. — Described in the Government Gazette. source
- confirmed A longer operating life still requires a licence from the ANVS. — Confirmed by the Dutch government and ANP. source
Editor's note
The purchase, amounts and ownership structure were reported by ANP. The transfer and longer operation still depend on political approval and a licence; the final safety outcome is not yet known.Sources
- Staat koopt aandelen kerncentrale Borssele van Zeeuwse overheden — ANP via ZeelandNet
- Rijksoverheid start verkennende gesprekken over eigendom kerncentrale Borssele — Rijksoverheid
- Staatscourant over bedrijfsduurverlenging Borssele — Overheid.nl
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „kernenergie borssele”
- NOS — „kernenergie borssele”
- Het Parool — „kernenergie borssele”