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Belgium needs to speed up renewable energy investment, to phase out nuclear power by 2025

Belgium unprepared for phasing out nuclear power by 2025: grid operator https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belgium-nuclearpower/belgium-unprepared-for-phasing-out-nuclear-power-by-2025-grid-operator-idUSKCN1TT233Daphne Psaledakis, Bate Felix, BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Belgian grid operator Elia has warned the country could face serious power shortages after it phases out nuclear power in 2025 if the government does not act to speed up investment in alternative energy supplies.Belgium’s nuclear reactors are set to be phased out from 2022 to 2025. Elia, in a study released on Friday, estimates the country will need an additional 3.9 GW of capacity from 2025 to replace the power generation from its seven nuclear reactors.

That is higher than its previous forecast of 3.6 GW, made in a similar study in 2017.

Neighboring countries, including Germany, are accelerating an exit from coal while others are cutting back on nuclear power generation, reducing Belgium’s ability to import electricity.

The Belgian parliament passed legislation in April aimed at spurring investment in gas-fired power generation and building 4,000 megawatt of new offshore wind farm capacity by 2030. The study, co-sponsored by Elia and energy agencies, said more efforts are needed.

While some action has been taken over the past year, “we are not yet ready for any scenario. It is still five minutes to midnight,” Elia said.

 

June 29, 2019 - Posted by | EUROPE, politics

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