News

Urenco’s Netherlands site is to be powered with low-carbon electricity from a nuclear power station

18 June 2024

The site in Almelo has signed a contract with PZEM Energy Company and ZEH to purchase power from the country’s only nuclear power plant in Borssele. Urenco Almelo will be supplied with around 175 GWh per year, starting in 2027 and stretching into the 2030s.

Urenco’s goal is to reach net zero overall by 2040, reducing our scope 1 (direct) & 2 (from purchased electricity) emissions in actual terms by 90% by 2030.

As part of the 2030 near-term target, to address scope 2 emissions, all four of our enrichment sites will need a low-carbon supply of electricity –and this agreement enables the Netherlands’ site to achieve this.  

Managing Director for Urenco Nederland (UNL), Ad Louter, said:  “This contract allows us to power our nuclear fuel site with a clean supply of electricity generated from a Dutch powerplant with an excellent safety and operations record. We are a perfect match for Borssele because we have a stable and continuous demand for energy to run our centrifuges, enabling us to play our part in the production of nuclear fuel. Our collaboration with ZEH and PZEM is an important and very welcome step to reach our goal of net zero by 2040.

“We have the option to extend our agreement further depending on discussions between the Dutch Government and Borssele to increase the power station’s operational lifetime.”

As part of the scope 2 push in the Netherlands, the site has built two solar panel installations, capable of reducing the site’s peak electricity demands from the grid by up to 15%.

Urenco’s UK site in Capenhurst is already powered through a low-carbon electricity supply generated via nuclear. Work is ongoing at our other sites to ensure their electricity supplies meet our 2030 near-term emissions target.

 

About Urenco's net zero goals

Our goal is to reach net zero overall by 2040, reducing our scope 1 (direct) & 2 (from purchased electricity) emissions in actual terms by 90% by 2030. As part of the scope 2 push in the Netherlands, the site has built two solar panel installations, capable of reducing the site’s peak electricity demands from the grid by up to 15%.

 

About ZEH

Zeeuwse Energie Houdstermaatschappij (ZEH), based in Middelburg, manages a stake in the EPZ nuclear power plant in Borssele and markets the output of the nuclear plant, as well as holding interests in the biomass plant BMC Moerdijk and the NPG Willebroek solar park. ZEH is a public limited company, with the Province of Zeeland owning half of the shares and the rest almost entirely owned by the various municipalities in the Province of Zeeland.

 

About PZEM Energy Company and EP NL

PZEM Energy Company B.V is a subsidiary of EP NL, which, in its turn is a subsidiary of the EPH Group. EP NL is a key player in the Dutch energy market with installed capacity of 2.6 GW and a 1.5 GW portfolio of power purchase agreement. We focus on electricity generation, trading and the supply of energy and solutions for businesses. Our efficient and flexible power plants ensure a stable and controllable electricity supply for the Netherlands. We integrate renewable energy sources and provide required flexibility to the electricity market. EP NL is committed to a reliable, sustainable energy future and efficient energy supply for the Netherlands. We actively shape the energy landscape by providing efficient solutions today and investing in innovative technologies for the future.