“There is an agreement in principle between the Belgian state and Engie regarding the extension of nuclear power stations Doel 4 and Tihange 3. The Belgian government takes responsibility so that our country regains some control over its own energy supply,” the prime minister reported via Twitter. “The aim is to reach a final agreement by the end of this year so that our country is assured of sufficient electricity in turbulent geopolitical times.”
“In a joint agreement in principle, the Belgian state and Engie have laid down agreements on the further approach, timing and framework of the negotiations”, according to a statement by De Croo and Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen). The Belgian state will not be the operator of the power stations. However, risks and profits will be shared through a new company to be established.
The government decided in March 2022 to start talks with Engie. This decision was taken in the context of the war in Ukraine, its impact on gas supplies in neighboring countries, the unplanned unavailability of several French nuclear power plants and the impact of all this on the Belgian electricity supply.