relation: https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/4586/
title: An evaluation of stakeholder participation process around the development of nuclear power plants in Borsele, the Netherlands
creator: van der Laan, Jesse
description: The development of large-scale infrastructure projects generates social, economic and  environmental impacts on many stakeholders. Limiting these impacts requires a high-quality  stakeholder participation process, which in turn creates the possibility for a project to attain a  high-level Social License to Operate. Plans are currently being formed to construct two  additional nuclear power plants in Borsele, the Netherlands, as a source of reliable and clean  energy. These plans are being formed, as the transition to cleaner sources of energy is essential  to combat anthropologically induced climate change. The construction of two nuclear power  plants has major economic, social and environmental impacts on local stakeholders such as  residents and regional stakeholders such as the government. This paper investigates the  stakeholder participation process that has been initiated by the municipality of Borsele and the  national government. It then evaluates this process and relates it to the possibility of attaining  a high-level Social Licence to Operate for the construction of the nuclear power plants.  Interviews have been conducted with a member of the ‘dorpsraad’, a resident from Borsele, an  employee of the municipality and an employee of the national government.  Through the use of this qualitative methodology, findings have shown that the quality of the  stakeholder participation process initiated by the municipality can be categorized around  placation and partnership. This stakeholder has initiated a timely and meaningful dialogue  focused on local impacts of the nuclear powerplants development. The process initiated by the  national government can be categorized around informing and is improving towards  consultation. Their process started off monological and as informing, they are now attempting  to facilitate a more meaningful dialogue. Furthermore, the national government is working on  improving their transparency of decision making.  Essential aspects to improve the stakeholder participation process in Borsele are the reduction  of reactivity and improvement of timeliness of the process. In order to do so, the municipality  and national government should consult each other. They should aim at facilitating a  meaningful and ongoing participation process during the project. By prioritizing transparent  and efficient participation and incorporating stakeholders into the decision-making process, the  overall quality of stakeholder engagement can be significantly improved. This could then lead  to a higher chance of attaining a high-level Social License to Operate.
date: 2024
type: Thesis
type: NonPeerReviewed
format: text
language: en
identifier: https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/4586/1/BachelorProjectFinal16-6-24JvanderLaan.pdf
identifier:   van der Laan, Jesse  (2024) An evaluation of stakeholder participation process around the development of nuclear power plants in Borsele, the Netherlands.  Bachelor thesis.