Thu, December 23, 2021
By Philip Blenkinsop
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The Belgian government agreed in principle on Thursday to close its nuclear power plants by 2025, but left open the possibility of extending the life of two reactors if it could not otherwise ensure energy supply.
The seven-party coalition has wrestled for months with the topic, with the Greens adamant that a 2003 law setting out a nuclear exit be respected, while the French-speaking liberals favoured extending the life of the two newest reactors.
The government had given itself an end-2021 deadline to settle the matter.
Belgium's two nuclear plants, with seven reactors in total, are operated by French utility Engie and account for almost half of the country's electricity production.
After talks through the night, ministers settled on a compromise whereby the last existing nuclear power plant should close in 2025, joining other countries such as Germany that are also phasing out the technology.
However, Belgium still needs to establish how to make up for the energy shortfall and there is a problem. The winner of a contract to build a gas-fired plant just north of Brussels has been denied a permit.
The government will now wait until March 15 to see if the permit is granted and, if not, look into other options, including other contract bidders.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said it was possible that certain nuclear reactors could be left to operate longer, but added that was "very unlikely".
Belgium will also invest 100 million euros ($113 million) over four years in research into nuclear power technology, emphasising smaller modular reactors and possibly cooperating with France and the Netherlands.
The planned nuclear exit will begin with the closure of one reactor on Oct. 1, 2022. Decommissioning, including the removal of all radioactive materials and demolition of buildings, is to be completed by 2045.
($1 = 0.8821 euros)
(Reporting by Philip BlenkinsopEditing by Mark Potter)
Belgium agrees to shut down its 7 nuclear reactors by 2025
Cooling towers from a nuclear reactor shown at the Boeretang Lake
Cooling towers from a nuclear reactor shown at the Boeretang Lake
in Belgium. Photo by Michael Weinhold/Wikimedia Commons
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Belgium officials reached an agreement Thursday to close all seven of the country's nuclear reactors by 2025, but they will be open to new, smaller nuclear plants under the compromise.
Belgium's relevant ministers reached the compromise after a night of negotiations following weeks of debate about the effect of the closures on energy shortages and prices, The Brussel Times and De Standaard reported.
As part of the agreement, Belgium will invest 100 million euros in research into new, smaller modular nuclear power plants. France and the Netherlands have invested in similar research.
The country's nuclear plants managed by French energy company Engie account for nearly half of its power production, and the issue had geopolitical implications since Russia is Europe's primary supplier of fossil fuel.
Russia has been accused of exacerbating high prices of natural gas by limiting supplies to Europe in recent months and natural gas prices have doubled this year.
The ministers had debated between two different exit plans, Plan A to close all plants, and Plan B to keep the two newest reactors open in case of supply shortages.
They decided to go with Plan A, and will close all seven plants by 2025, which is the target date the current government committed to when it took office five years ago, Euronews reported.
The nuclear power phaseout has been codified in Belgian law since 2003.
Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Belgium officials reached an agreement Thursday to close all seven of the country's nuclear reactors by 2025, but they will be open to new, smaller nuclear plants under the compromise.
Belgium's relevant ministers reached the compromise after a night of negotiations following weeks of debate about the effect of the closures on energy shortages and prices, The Brussel Times and De Standaard reported.
As part of the agreement, Belgium will invest 100 million euros in research into new, smaller modular nuclear power plants. France and the Netherlands have invested in similar research.
The country's nuclear plants managed by French energy company Engie account for nearly half of its power production, and the issue had geopolitical implications since Russia is Europe's primary supplier of fossil fuel.
Russia has been accused of exacerbating high prices of natural gas by limiting supplies to Europe in recent months and natural gas prices have doubled this year.
The ministers had debated between two different exit plans, Plan A to close all plants, and Plan B to keep the two newest reactors open in case of supply shortages.
They decided to go with Plan A, and will close all seven plants by 2025, which is the target date the current government committed to when it took office five years ago, Euronews reported.
The nuclear power phaseout has been codified in Belgian law since 2003.
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