Defying the Nuclear Phase-Out: Belgium's U-turn and Plans for New Reactors
Belgium Phases Out Nuclear Energy Production
Never thought Belgium would backpedal, but it's goin' against its original decision to phase out nuclear power. The parliament has cast a huge majority vote, with 120 MPs in favor, 8 against, and 31 abstaining, to extend the lifespan of existing reactors, and the right-wing government, led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, is eyeing the construction of new reactors. Initially, the Belgian Parliament agreed in 2003 to a nuclear phase-out, but the rug's been pulled under that decision now.
The two Belgian nuclear power plants in Doel and Tihange have seven reactors, with three already decommissioned. However, a U-turn in the government's stance, with the Russia-Ukraine conflict highlighting the importance of energy independence and diversification, has led to a decision to delay the phase-out by ten years and keep two reactors operational until 2035.
Nuclear power's controversies, like the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan, have sparked debates in neighboring countries, such as Germany. Belgium has been under the gun due to defects discovered in its nuclear reactors, like decaying concrete parts. For instance, the Tihange power plant, located about 60 kilometers away from the German city of Aachen, has been a point of concern. Germany's initial nuclear phase-out was decided in 2002, and the last of its nuclear power plants were shut down in 2023. So far, only Italy has fully implemented the nuclear phase-out.
The Belgian government sees nuclear energy as crucial to its energy mix to achieve energy independence, competitive prices, and accelerate decarbonization. With the passing of the "Bihet Law," the creation of new nuclear power plants may be on the table down the line. The legislation sets forth consultations with industry players, experts, and safety authorities to ensure the safe and efficient implementation of new nuclear projects.
[1] ntv.de/ino/dpa[2] Belga News Agency[3] Reuters[4] Belgian federal government's "Belgian Energy Strategy 2050"[5] Chamber of Representatives document regarding nuclear energy and the Doel and Tihange nuclear power plants.
- The ongoing debates about nuclear energy in neighboring countries, such as Germany, have been heightened by controversial incidents like the decaying concrete parts discovered in Belgium's Tihange power plant, located near the German city of Aachen.
- In line with environmental-science and technology, the Belgian government is advocating for nuclear power as a critical component of its energy policy to attain energy independence, competitive prices, and accelerate decarbonization.
- Despite public concerns and past decisions, including the 2003 community policy agreement on a nuclear phase-out, the latest moves by the Belgian Parliament and government point towards an extension of the lifespan of existing reactors and even the construction of new nuclear power plants, subject to safety considerations and industry consultations as outlined in the "Bihet Law."
