LOOK. Keeping nuclear power plants open longer is no longer taboo
Last year, as a result of the Ukraine crisis, the federal government decided to keep the latest nuclear power plants, Doel 4 and Tihange 3, open for ten years longer, until 2035. The Vivaldi agreement therefore only covers two reactors and is limited in time , Gilkinet recalls.
But the liberal coalition partners and CD&V have been pressing for a number of weeks for a more limited lifespan extension of the older Tihange 1, Doel 1 and Doel 2 power stations. The reason: the limited security of supply for the winters of 2025-’26 and 2026-’27.
Two weeks ago, the federal government decided to have the nuclear safety watchdog FANC investigate whether it is possible to extend the life of additional nuclear power plants to bridge the winters of 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
As for Gilkinet, “The closure of plants will continue. The closure of five reactors is still on the table, nothing has changed.” To guarantee security of supply, the green deputy prime minister speaks of “modulation” of the three reactors in question rather than “extension”.