In exchange for the lifetime extension of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear power stations, the French company Engie wants a predictable, stable and viable investment regime and clarity about the future decommissioning of the nuclear power stations and the management of nuclear waste.
–
Engie, the parent company of Electrabel, today reprinted its wish list on the occasion of the presentation of the results for the first quarter of 2022. They were also particularly good, thanks in part to the Belgian nuclear power stations† With an operating profit of EUR 583 million in three months, the Belgian nuclear power plants were one of the largest profit drivers for the French energy group during the first quarter. The whole of Engie clocked in at more than 3.5 billion euros. According to Engie, the profits of the nuclear power plants were even partly depressed by higher taxes on some installations and slightly lower power production during the first quarter of 2021.
But at the same time, Engie makes no bones about the fact that keeping nuclear power stations open for ten years cannot be labeled as business as usual† Such an extension entails ‘a risk that goes beyond the normal activity of a private operator’, according to the French energy group. It immediately makes it clear that such a lifespan extension is only desirable if a ‘balanced risk distribution’ can be agreed with the Belgian government. This includes a ‘predictable, stable and viable investment regime and a clearly defined framework for decommissioning and management of nuclear waste’.
Engie also insists that the preparations to shut down the nuclear power plants for longer will take five years. This makes it clear to the Belgian government once again that two winters without nuclear energy are coming for the power supply of our country: that of 2025-2026 and also that of 2026-2027.
The Belgian government took the decision in mid-March to keep two Belgian nuclear power plants open for ten years longer until 2035. An agreement about this has yet to be made with Engie. Belgium hopes to be able to conclude a deal on this with the French energy group before the summer.
–
