The newly appointed chair of Flemish ecologist Groen Aimen Horch says it’s incomprehensible that the government wants to buy all of Engie’s nuclear reactors in Belgium. PM De Wever stresses the nuclear contribution to carbon-free energy.
Climate & Environment
Greens slate nationalisation of nuclear power, PM defends nuclear ambitions
Colin Clapson
Published:
‘It’s an irresponsible spending of billions’, Horch argues in response to the Belgian government's bid to snap up Engie's nuclear fleet in Belgium.
‘Whilst the present government is cutting back on pensions and benefits, it apparently wants to free up billions for the purchase of nuclear reactors that are at the end of their lifespan. I have serious concerns about these plans,’ writes Horch in a press release.
‘Recklessly buying up all the nuclear reactors, when we know the costs involved are sky-high, is simply irresponsible.’
Horch is asking PM De Wever for clarity on the cost implications. He wants an independent audit that provides insight into the figures and a cost-benefit analysis of this decision.
Prime Minister De Wever: ‘A country with nuclear ambitions and an operator that wants to pull out is a bad combination’
Following today’s meeting of the inner cabinet, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist N-VA) defended the decision to negotiate with Engie with regard to a takeover of all Belgian nuclear power stations. ‘We must move away from fossil fuels. If we were to close our nuclear power stations, we would become dependent on gas-fired power stations. That is, of course, a very bad idea.’
According to De Wever, the fact that Engie has decided to exit the nuclear energy sector did not help. ‘Engie has taken the decision to exit the nuclear sector. We respect that, but a country with nuclear ambitions and an operator that wants out is not a good combination.’
The agreement with Engie halts the decommissioning of nuclear power stations and triggers a so-called ‘due diligence review’. According to the Prime Minister, this should determine whether Belgian nuclear power stations can remain open for longer, whether it is affordable and sensible, and whether it is legally feasible. 'Once we have all that information, the decision will be made.'
De Wever remains committed to a carbon-free and renewable energy mix. ‘It seems obvious to me in today’s world that the energy mix must be carbon-free for the sake of the climate. Then you look to nuclear and renewable energy to ensure security of supply.’
De Wever has no good word about the previous government’s energy policy. 'Closing nuclear power stations was the stupidest thing anyone in this country has done this century.'