Nuclear U-Turn: Belgium Abandons 20-Year Nuclear Phase-Out Plan, Eyeing New Reactors
Nuclear energy phase-out approved in Belgium
In a surprising move, the Belgian parliament, led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever's right-wing government, has voted decisively to overturn the country's 20-year-old nuclear phase-out plan. A whopping 102 members of parliament voted in favor of extending the life of existing reactors, with a mere 8 opposed and 31 abstentions.
The Belgian Parliament isn't the only one excited about this U-turn; the government has ambitious plans for not just extending the life of the existing reactors but also constructing new ones. Currently, the country boasts two operational nuclear power plants with seven reactors, three of which are already offline.
The push for nuclear energy has been gathering steam due to concerns over energy security and the turbulent energy markets, especially post the 2022 Russian military invasion of Ukraine. This invasion has starkly highlighted the risks of relying too heavily on gas imports.
Initially, the remaining reactors at the Doel and Tihange power plants were slated for closure by 2025, as per a 2003 law that mandated a phase-out and banned new nuclear plants. However, the advent of the Russia-Ukraine conflict led to a reevaluation of this policy.
Concerns about energy independence, competitive electricity prices, and environmental goals in the midst of a global energy crisis have fueled this shift. The government aims to:
- Reduce dependency on volatile gas imports.
- Ensure price stability amid global energy uncertainties.
- Accelerate decarbonization initiatives.
- Develop a robust, resilient energy model employing a blend of energy sources rather than relying on a binary choice between nuclear and renewables.
This policy change, known as the "Bihet Law," has garnered broad parliamentary support and signals a significant departure from Belgium's energy policies after two decades of indecision and stalemate. The government plans to work closely with the industry, experts, and safety authorities in implementing this reform.
Notably, Belgium isn't the only European country grappling with these issues—Germany, too, has faced similar debates. Concerns over aging reactors and the devastating aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster have led to Germany's full nuclear phase-out in 2023. However, countries like Belgium and Italy continue to explore nuclear energy as a potential solution to their energy needs.
[1] https://www.ntv.de/wissenschaft-umwelt/belgien-nuclear-noch-bis-2035-beschluss-fuer-de-neue-reaktoren-article24796097.html[4] https://www.dpa.com/de/faz/optimal-get-data?id=3b0ee32474c04e81b8785ca05b95ef25&ownbrand=true[5] https://www.ddr.be/content/13035554
The Belgian government, in its policy reevaluation, aims to collaborate closely with the industry, experts, and safety authorities for the implementation of the new nuclear energy strategy, outlined in the "Bihet Law." This financial investment in nuclear energy is a response to the turbulent industry finance landscape, driven by concerns over energy security and the global energy crisis.
The shift toward extending and potentially constructing new nuclear reactors in Belgium, despite the country's long-standing employment policy favoring renewables, may signal a new direction for the country's industry and employment policy, given the increased need for energy production and the potential for job creation in the energy sector.
