In addition to the planned gas-fired power station in Seraing, the one in Manage now meets the conditions for replacing the unlicensed power station in Vilvoorde. But in the meantime the world has changed again.
–
A license for which no administrative appeal is possible: that was the condition imposed by the federal government in its agreement at the end of December for the gas-fired power stations that could replace the unlicensed Vilvoorde power station.
Meanwhile there are two. After the Luminus power station in Seraing, that of Eneco in Manage has now also received a permit on appeal from the Walloon government. The competent ministers, Willy Borsus (MR) and Céline Tellier (Ecolo), did not agree on the file. Borsus had objections, Tellier was in favour. The decision of the first instance – a permit subject to conditions – therefore stands.
There is, however, a difference between the two centers. The Council of State no longer has a file against those in Seraing, not even against the permit for the high-voltage line. In Manage, the protest has not yet stopped and the mayor announces new actions.
This means that the conditions are met to rerun of last year’s auction of support, after which a replacement for Vilvoorde has to be selected. An appeal to the Council of State can then still be filed, at least in the case of Manage and of the gas-fired power station that Engie/Electrabel wants to build in Les Awirs.
Dependence on Russian gas
However, the world has now completely changed because of the war in Ukraine. Belgium is not very dependent on Russian gas, but that does not mean that we are not sharing the brunt of the rising gas prices. In addition, after the closure (partially or completely) of the nuclear power plants, Belgium will need additional gas imports.
The liberal coalition partners in particular have already reacted strongly. “Reduce dependence on Russian gas as quickly as possible throughout Europe,” tweeted Open VLD chairman Egbert Lachaert. ‘In other countries too, people are looking with an open mind at all solutions now that an open war is raging on our continent.’
MR chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez went even further. “Is Ecolo willing to pull the plug on the government in such a troubled period, just to maintain a dogma?” he wonders in Free† He is convinced that the federal government must postpone the complete nuclear phase-out.
The government maintains that the decision will be made on March 18, but Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) acknowledges that energy independence is also one of the aspects to be considered in decision-making, in addition to price and security of supply.
The technical possibilities and legal objections for the extension of two nuclear reactors are still the same today as they were before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Everything depends on the attitude of owner Engie/Electrabel. In any case, the two youngest reactors will remain open until 2025. The others will close. The first, Doel 3, will even close in the autumn.
Extending two power plants will make us less dependent on gas imports for electricity consumption, but will not make us gas independent. Half of current gas imports are for heating, a quarter for industry and another quarter for electricity production.
–
