The Belgian government has decided that the country will continue to operate its nuclear power plants for ten years longer than planned, as Brussels weighed on its energy supply choices following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre De Croes announced on Friday.
The decision translates into the fact that the Tihange 3 station, near Liege, on the border with Germany (1,038 megawatts), as well as the Doel 4 station, near Antwerp (1,039 MW), will continue to operate until at least 2035.
“The federal government has decided to take the necessary measures to extend the lifespan of Belgium’s two most recent nuclear reactors by ten years,” de Croix said in a press release.
The decision implies that there will have to be renegotiation with the company that manages these stations, the French Engie, which was working on the assumption that they would close in 2025. A large public expenditure may be required for the new agreement.
Mr de Croe also noted that Belgium’s plans were not limited to extending the operation of nuclear power plants. They also include projects to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the Belgian energy mix.
Energy Minister Tine van der Straten said that according to government plans, Belgium will provide around 30% of the electricity it consumes from renewable sources (wind turbines, photovoltaics, hydrogen …) by 2030, while the use of oil and gas should be reduced by at least 15% overall, in part thanks to the promotion of electric drive.
For Mr. De Cro, the extension “will allow us to strengthen the (energy) independence of our country” against the background of geopolitical unrest.
The country ‘s commitment to progressively abandon nuclear energy was enshrined in Belgian law in 2003.
More than half of the electricity consumed in Belgium in 2021 was generated by its nuclear power plants, according to grid operator Elia.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, which boosted oil and gas prices, has forced European governments to reconsider their energy supply choices. Europe is looking for ways to reduce its energy dependence on Russia, which supplies more than 40% of the gas consumed in the Old Continent, mainly in Germany, Italy and Central European countries.
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