Belgium keeps two nuclear power stations open for longer

Belgium is going to keep two nuclear power plants that would close in 2025 open longer. The Belgian federal government announced this on Friday evening. The power stations not far from the Dutch border, in Doel and Tihange, will now continue to run for ten years longer. Due to the war in Ukraine, natural gas has become an too expensive and uncertain alternative to nuclear energy, the Belgian cabinet argues.

“The war is radically changing the way we look at energy,” said Prime Minister Alexander de Croo. He wants to get rid of the ‘painful dependence’ on fossil fuels from abroad. Not only to cut the sky-high energy bill, but also to “give Russia less resources to finance that terrible war.”

A full nuclear exit had been on the Belgians’ agenda since 2003. The current government coalition, fueled by the green parties, wanted to make this intention a reality. However, uncertainty about future supplies and rising electricity prices has raised doubts about the plan. The government is expected to make the decision this Friday.

A complete nuclear exit remained Belgium’s Plan A. Keeping the two youngest power stations open was seen as Plan B. However, under pressure from rising gas prices and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, coalition partner after coalition partner changed their minds. The green parties also gave in to this. The coalition consists of liberal, socialist, green and Christian democratic parties.

The government parties have now agreed that they will try to extend the life of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors until 2035. In addition, two new gas-fired power stations are being opened, and the Belgian government has earmarked a billion euros for additional investments in renewable energy.

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