The federal government will continue to evaluate the feasibility of the nuclear exit in November 2021. The fact that operator Engie / Electrabel is scrapping the investments for a lifetime extension does not matter.
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This confirmed both Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) and Minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) on Thursday afternoon during the plenary meeting in the Chamber. In 2018, the then federal government committed to closing the last nuclear power plants in our country by 2025 at the latest. However, to ensure energy supply, investments are required in other energy sources, such as gas-fired power stations or renewable energy. Moreover, the price of this for families and companies must be kept within limits.
The coalition agreement of the Vivaldi coalition stipulates that an evaluation will be made in November 2021 on the feasibility of the nuclear exit. In the event of unexpected problems, the government will take measures to ensure the energy supply, for example by still making limited use of nuclear power stations.
‘Respect calendar’
The government is sticking to this evaluation, even now that operator Engie / Electrabel has decided to scrap further investments for a possible extension of the life of the nuclear power stations and to prepare for a nuclear exit in 2025. ‘We confirm the nuclear exit and will respect the calendar’ Prime Minister Alexander De Croo answered questions from just about every fraction in the House on Thursday.
“That calendar was set by, among others, the four parties that were part of the government at the time,” it sounded delicately. According to the prime minister, the government wants to approach the nuclear exit ‘sensibly’, ‘on the basis of facts and figures’ and ‘with attention to security of supply and affordability’.
Energy Minister Van der Straeten confirmed this intention. ‘We will conduct an analysis in November 2021 (…). If that report shows, on the basis of facts and figures, that there is an unexpected problem, we will take all possible measures to remedy it. ‘ Van der Straeten emphasized that she wants to organize the nuclear trip in an ‘orderly’ way, with attention for the employees in the nuclear power plants and the prices for consumers.
‘Green trail of destruction’
The opposition is not satisfied with that explanation. According to N-VA Member of Parliament Bert Wollants, the emergency scenario – the limited use of nuclear energy after 2025, has ‘become impossible’. ‘The minister (Van der Straeten, ed.) is very happy with that, because she has known for some time that she does not want that, ‘he said.
Georges Dallemagne (CdH) emphasized that his party in principle advocates a rapid nuclear exit, but not without a safety net in an emergency. “That is irresponsible,” he said. ‘Renewable energy will not be ready until 2030 at the earliest, the support mechanism has not yet been approved by Europe and gas-fired power stations are polluting and expensive.’
Flemish Belanger Recino Van Lommel talked about a ‘green trail of destruction’ that the government is leaving behind. ‘All reasonableness with regard to energy supplies is hard to find.’
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