The Belgian government wants to keep the two youngest nuclear power stations – Doel 4 and Tihange 3 – open for ten years longer after 2025. The government is in negotiations with Engie Electrabel, operator of the nuclear power stations.
Engie chairman Clamadieu warns against a difficult birth. “What would have been complex but realistic three years ago has become difficult today,” said the chief executive in Le Figaro. The fact that the decision was taken so late makes the process difficult to realize, it sounds like.
That is why Engie has asked the Belgian government to work out a solution that ensures “a balanced distribution of the risks”, it sounds. “The talks have only just begun. It is very complex. They can take months,” said the chairman of the French energy giant.
Engie CEO Catherine MacGregor said during the general shareholders’ meeting in Paris on Thursday that there is “little chance” that the two nuclear reactors in question can be returned to service before 2027. According to the top woman, it will be “very difficult to build in less than five years.” time to complete the works” for their life extension.
MacGregor also stressed that Belgium’s demand to extend the life of the two reactors “was late and involves significant safety, regulatory and implementation constraints”. The top woman says that Engie is working with the Belgian government with the aim of “sharing the risks and opportunities”.