Publication Laka-library:
An SEA for the Dutch National Programme on Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel (2025)
| Author | Mott MacDonald |
 |
1-01-4-15-26.pdf |
| Date | February 2025 |
| Classification | 1.01.4.15/26 (WASTE - DIRECTIVE 2011/70/EURATOM) |
| Remarks | English Translation of the SEA Environmental Report Summary. Report in Dutch: 1.01.4.15/24 |
| Front |
From the publication:
An SEA for the Dutch National Programme on Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel English Translation of the SEA Environmental Report Summary February 2025 Mott MacDonald Executive summary Ionising radiation widely occurs within our society from a variety of activities, ranging from nuclear energy to medical purposes. Nuclear energy generation is a widely recognised source of radioactive waste, and waste can be produced by ‘classic’ nuclear power plants or new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). However, the production of radioactive waste occurs from a much wider range of activities than the nuclear power sector alone. Radioactivity is also involved in many industrial processes, for example to sterilise food or to assess the quality of materials. In the Netherlands, people most frequently encounter radiation from its use in medical applications, such as diagnostic imaging or medical treatments, which also generate radioactive waste. Additionally, there is naturally occurring radioactive material, which is found for example, during the extraction of oil and gas and the use of geothermal installations. This natural radioactivity is concentrated, resulting in radioactive waste, albeit at a low level of radioactivity. Therefore, even without (new) nuclear power plants, radioactive waste is produced in the Netherlands. The various types of radioactive waste generated by these important applications must be carefully and safely managed. The European Directive 2011/70/EURATOM requires each member state to update and revise a national programme for the safe management of radioactive waste and spent fuel, at least every ten years. Based on this directive, the Netherlands published its first national programme for radioactive waste and spent fuel (Nationaal Programma Radioactief Afval en verbruikte splijtstoffen (NPRA)) in 2016. This NPRA is now being updated for the period 2025-2035. This document presents the English summary of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report that has been prepared for the NPRA. The SEA outlines the environmental effects of the policies in the NPRA and compares them with realistic alternatives and seeks to identify key environmental risks and opportunities.