nuclear-news

Belgium wants an atomic U-turn, but its nuclear operator doesn’t

David Rogers, Global Construction Review, 5 Feb 25

The Belgian government wants to extend the lives of its five nuclear reactors and start building their replacements, repealing a 2003 law banning new nuclear construction, the Belga news agency reports.

But the company that owns the reactors – France’s Engie – is not interested.

The country is governed by a five-party coalition that formed in January after seven months of negotiations. It’s led by prime minister Bart De Wever……………

Belgium opted out of nuclear power in 2003, when the government of Guy Verhofstadt passed a law forbidding the construction of nuclear reactors………

De Wever’s government aims to repeal this law, and to further extend the life of the existing reactors……… De Wever wants another life extension for them, and a life extension for the country’s oldest reactors, Doel 1 and 2 and Tihange 1, which are already being decommissioned and are set to shut down this year.

Nuclear operator Engie opposes De Wever’s plans.

Engie Belgium chief executive Vincent Verbeke said it would be possible to extend Doel 4 and Tihange 3 until 2035, but to put off decommissioning beyond that was “unthinkable”.

Engie said nuclear power is no longer part of its strategic planning, and that it is no longer investing in nuclear power.

That means the government will have to either find a new operator, or nationalise the nuclear power plants before their lives can be extended again………………………. https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/belgium-wants-an-atomic-u-turn-but-its-nuclear-operator-doesnt/

February 8, 2025 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs