Positive results from local residents’ survey on PALLAS-reactor
In July, the first residents’ survey was conducted among people living within a 10-kilometers radius of the PALLAS construction site in Petten. With 840 completed online questionnaires, we have achieved a very strong response rate. The results show an overwhelmingly positive view of the building of the PALLAS-reactor. 82% of respondents are aware of the ongoing construction work and view it positively. The importance of the reactor for healthcare and employment in the region is widely recognized. Moreover, most residents report experiencing little nuisance from the construction activities.
Some points of attention have emerged in the area of communication. Some residents indicate that they do not always feel adequately reached through the current communication channels and highlight the importance of timely and personal information, for example through a door-to-door newsletter. There is also interest in open days. The arrival of the New Discovery Center - an interactive experience center about nuclear medicine, energy transition and water management, which will open in Petten in 2026 - is being positively viewed. Furthermore, we received valuable suggestions on how to further improve our communication, and we are happy to incorporate these into our upcoming actions.
Knowledge sessions
A need for more information emerged from the survey. For this reason, over the coming months, we are organizing a series of knowledge sessions, each with a different theme. Last month’s session focused on radiation protection. In October, nuclear medicine expert Marcel Stokkel will speak about medical isotopes – a popular topic that we will cover again in an additional session in November.
In November, stakeholder engagement manager Marieke Klaver will give a presentation on environment, water and the landscape integration of the PALLAS-project. In December, construction manager Ben Slee will conclude the series with a session on the construction of the so-called nuclear island: the construction pit in which the technical part of the PALLAS-reactor will be built.
Would you like to attend the knowledge session? Register now via Kennissessies bezoekerscentrum Petten | NRG PALLAS.
Community engagement
For every completed questionnaire from the residents' survey, the PALLAS project donated €5 to the Inloophuis for cancer patients and their loved ones in Burgerbrug. This resulted in a generous total amount of €4,200, which we handed over on 29 September to Wendy Borst-Rozendaal, the founder of Inloophuis Burgerbrug. We would like to thank all residents who completed the survey. Participants also had a chance to win a prize: an exclusive guided tour of the construction site. The winners will be informed.
Annual Survey
The residents' survey is conducted annually to continuously monitor public sentiment in the surrounding area. The aim is to identify any concerns or needs related to communication and to track the perceived impact during the construction phase. The surveys are carried out by an independent market research agency. The positive results highlight the importance of effective community engagement and provide a solid foundation for the continued development of the project.
