The agreement between the government partners on Tuesday morning opens the door to the extension of more than two nuclear reactors in order to guarantee our country’s security of supply. That says government party MR. However, other sources contradict that reading.
In March, the federal government agreed to keep the two youngest nuclear power stations (Doel 4 and Tihange 3) open for ten years longer after the planned closure date in 2025. Negotiations are still ongoing with operator Engie-Electrabel about this extension.
The French-speaking liberals have been pushing for the lifespan of even more reactors to be extended. CD&V advocates an extension of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 by 20 years and, like Open VLD, wants nothing irreversible to happen to Doel 3, the power station that stopped operating on September 23.
According to the notification of the agreement, which the Belga press agency was able to view, the government is asking the Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy, in consultation with grid operator Elia and regulator CREG and the nuclear agency FANC, to work out all additional options (including renewable energy). , flexibility, nuclear and fossil) to – if necessary – strengthen our country’s security of supply until 2030.
Well-informed sources note that the government is already showing increased vigilance, Belga writes. In addition, the notification says “if necessary”, but “there is no report yet that says there would be a problem. We have just solved that thanks to the CRM”, the auction of capacity to absorb the loss of nuclear capacity, in exchange for subsidies. This CRM will be operational from 2025 and is designed to ensure supplies at all times and at the lowest possible cost.
In his speech in the House, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo points out that the government is extending the lifespan of our youngest nuclear power plants and is investing in research into smaller and clean nuclear reactors.
“The government has also decided to look at how we can further increase our own energy capacity, both nuclear and renewable. In these uncertain times there is no room for taboos. We are not taking any risk with our security of supply,” said Prime Minister De Croo.
Unavailability of nuclear reactor Tihange 3 extended again, until October 21
The Tihange 3 nuclear reactor will not be able to restart on October 15 as previously thought. Operator Engie now assumes October 21, the company confirms.
Engie needs more time to carry out some technical interventions, a company spokeswoman said. The analysis of the technical cause of the breakdown is still ongoing.
The reactor unexpectedly shut down on October 3, according to Engie due to a drop in pressure in one of the steam generators. Tihange 3 is one of three reactors in Belgium with a capacity of more than 1,000 megawatts.
Also read: New nuclear power stations and more wind energy cheapest option to make Belgium climate neutral
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