October 11, 2020
12:35
–
Nuclear energy will be superfluous in our country by 2025. This is what the Federal Minister of Energy, Tinne Van der Straeten, says in a conversation with De Zondag.
–
Now that Groen and Ecolo have joined the federal government, we will look forward to the achievements in the field of energy in the coming years. In the coalition agreement, the seven parties that are part of Alexander De Croo’s government confirmed that the nuclear exit is coming.
–
The law provides that all nuclear power plants will close by 2025. In the coalition agreement, however, the De Croo team keeps a blow to the arm. The final decision will be made in 2021. If a problem with security of supply unexpectedly arises in November next year, the exit calendar may still be adjusted.
–
Renewable energy
In a conversation with De Zondag, the new federal minister of Energy, Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen), nevertheless makes the case that 2025 is realistic, even though nuclear energy still accounts for 48 percent of the total energy today. ‘We will monitor continuously. But if we stick in our direction, nuclear energy will be obsolete by 2025. ‘
–
Our windmills should be our national pride. That, chocolate and beer are our best export products, eh.
Tinne Van der Straeten
Federal Minister of Energy
–
–
–
If nuclear energy disappears, she says a lot of space will be made available for renewable energy. ‘We must stimulate renewable energy. Our windmills should be our national pride. That, chocolate and beer are our best export products, eh. We are the number four in the world for offshore wind turbines. We are really good at that. We also need to improve the storage of electricity. Third, some gas-fired power stations will be needed. And finally, we have to work together with neighboring countries. ‘
–
Climate expert Jean-Pascal Van Ypersele suggested keeping some nuclear power stations open longer because gas power stations are also polluting. But Van der Straeten does not like that. That scenario would again lead to doubt. The gas-fired power stations are only needed temporarily in the transition phase. Moreover, they can easily be switched off if there is sufficient renewable energy. ‘
–
–
