But even if Demir decides to grant a license, the question is whether that decision will come in time for the CRM auction in October. The files must be in by the end of September. Having a permit is not required to be able to submit a file, but the question is who would dare to take that risk. Anyone who receives subsidies at the auction to build a gas-fired power station must also be able to fulfill that commitment. If this is not possible, for example because a permit is not in order, fines are attached.
If Engie/Electrabel decides to challenge the refusal of the license in Vilvoorde, the final decision may indeed only be made after the CRM auction in October. This is confirmed by the spokesperson for Minister Zuhal Demir. The decision in the first instance about a gas-fired power station in Tessenderlo would also only be made afterwards. “But it is really not our intention to exhaust the deadlines to the extreme,” emphasizes Pieters. “In principle, the minister has until December to make a decision about Dilsen-Stokkem, but that will probably follow in September. Wondelgem may be before October.”
But Pieters points out that no license can really be free of appeal against the auction in October. “An appeal can always be submitted to the Council for Permit Disputes.”
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