The Seraing gas-fired power station replaces that of Vilvoorde in the mechanism to guarantee our country’s security of supply after the closure of five of the seven nuclear power stations in 2025. This was expected and has been confirmed in Elia’s new auction report.
The government created a capacity compensation mechanism (CRM) to ensure security of supply after the nuclear phase-out. It came down to subsidies for capacity to replace nuclear energy. Grid operator Elia organized an auction for this. The two most important projects that emerged were the gas-fired power stations of Vilvoorde and Les Awirs, both of Engie.
Because the Vilvoorde power station did not receive a permit, the next gas station from the auction came into the picture. That was that of Luminus in Seraing, although a formal re-run of the auction had to take place. The plant in Seraing already has a permit – which was put forward as a condition by the federal government – and the bid price remained the same as at the auction in October.
Important step
“This is another important step to secure our country’s electricity supply, guarantee investment security for companies and provide affordable electricity to our citizens and companies,” said Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen). “The investment mechanism provides flexibility, paving the way for 100 percent renewable energy.”
At the time of the first auction, it was expected that all power stations would close in 2025. But due to the rise in energy prices and on top of that the Russian war in Ukraine, the government decided to keep the power stations of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 open even longer.
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