Netherlands Eyes Full Ownership of Key Nuclear Power Plant

The Dutch government, currently in a caretaker role, announced plans to potentially buy out local councils' shares in the country's only operational nuclear power station in Zeeland. Local governments own 70% of the shares, while multinational RWE AG holds 30%. The move supports the coalition's strategy to expand nuclear energy to reduce dependency on unreliable countries.

The Netherlands is prepared to begin discussions about buying local councils' shares in the country's only operational nuclear power station, the outgoing government said on Tuesday, adding that the facility should continue operating. In a statement, the government, acting in a caretaker role since elections in November, said local governments in the westernmost province of Zeeland, where the power station is located, hold 70% of the shares but would prefer to sell to the Dutch state.

The remaining 30% is owned by multinational German energy company RWE AG. If it opposes keeping the power station open, the Dutch government would consider buying its share as well, the government statement said. After months of stalemate, far-right leader Geert Wilders said last month he expects a new right-wing coalition government to be in place by the end of June, but negotiations over cabinet posts are continuing.

The incoming coalition said last month it aims to expand nuclear energy production as part of plans to reduce the Netherlands' dependence on "unreliable countries". It was not clear whether it supported the idea of buying the local councils' stake in the existing nuclear plant.