Two Belgian nuclear power plants are to run ten years longer than planned. Shortcomings had raised concerns in the past – including in Germany.
Belgium wants to postpone nuclear phase-out by ten years. The Tihange 3 nuclear power plant near the German border and the Doel 4 nuclear power plant near Antwerp are scheduled to continue operating until 2035. This was confirmed by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on Friday evening after government consultations.
The extension of the service life is intended to ensure energy security. The war in Ukraine and the recently sharp rise in energy prices also play a role.
Nuclear reactors caused discussions
In Germany, the Belgian nuclear reactors from the 1970s and 80s have repeatedly caused discussions in the past. Several defects were found in the reactors in the neighboring country, such as dilapidated concrete parts. In the past, the city of Aachen and the federal government have called for the nuclear power plants to be shut down. Belgium has a total of seven reactors at the sites Doel near Antwerp and Tihange near Liège.
In Belgium, the phase-out of nuclear power was already laid down in law in 2003, but the debate has dragged on for years. More than half of the electricity consumed in 2021 was produced by nuclear power, according to grid operator Elia.
Source: Stern
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