The federal government and French energy group Engie are today officially signing a contract to extend the life of two nuclear reactors in Belgium. The deal was clinched last summer, but a comprehensive contract was only approved by all federal deputy prime ministers last night.
Climate & Environment
Belgian government and Engie sign contract to extend the life of nuclear reactors and secure energy supplies
Colin Clapson
Published:
Updated:
What is this about?
In March 2022, shortly after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the federal government decided that it wanted to keep Belgium’s two youngest nuclear reactors (Doel 4 and Tihange 3) open for 10 years longer than planned. The move is being made to make Belgium less dependent on natural gas from abroad for its energy supplies.
It required a deal with nuclear operator Engie Electrabel. The company then insisted on clear agreements on the costs of dismantling the reactors and disposing of nuclear waste. After more than a year of negotiations, at the end of June, the government and Engie reached a so-called "no way back agreement", pending the signing of the final contract.
One of the last hurdles to the Engie deal has now been cleared: the federal inner cabinet considered and has now approved the contract for the extension of the life of the youngest nuclear reactors. Today follows the official signing with Engie.
Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Flemish green/Groen) told VRT she was satisfied "to be able to finalise this". The agreement still has to pass the Council of State, Belgium’s highest administrative court, and the European Commission. Only at the end of next year will the deal completely be finalised.
A thousand pages
Content-wise, at least, the broad outlines have been known since June:
Reactors Doel 4 and Tihange 3 will operate 10 years longer than initially planned. They will also operate during the winters of 2025 and 2026, two winters when it may prove difficult to secure supplies.
In 2025 an initial target price will be set for power from these reactors : if market prices for electricity are too low, the government will provide a subsidy, but if they are too high, Engie will have to pay back excess profits.
The cost of decommissioning the nuclear reactors has been set at €8 billion. For the disposal of nuclear waste, Engie will have to provide €15 billion.