By keeping Doel 4 and Tihange 3 open for ten years longer, the energy supply in our country must be safeguarded. “And it’s a way to make our country independent from Russia faster.”
In addition, on the one hand there will be accelerated investments in renewable energy, on the other hand two new gas-fired power stations will open. “The two new gas-fired power plants were needed in every scenario. If you produce sustainable energy, there are times – when there is no sun or wind, for example – when you need back-up capacity,” explains De Croo.
Whether Europe will approve the plan to keep both nuclear and gas plants open longer? “We have been in contact with Europe several times in recent weeks. It’s an exceptional moment and then you have to make exceptional decisions, that’s what they told us.”