The Doel nuclear power plant

Belgium's new coalition government has announced plans to continue operating two of the country's reactors for an additional 10 years beyond the 10-year extension already agreed - and said it aims to construct new reactors.

Following the 2024 Belgian federal and regional elections, government formation talks began on 10 June. After months of negotiations, on 31 January the parties forming the Arizona coalition (Les Engagés, MR, Vooruit, CD&V and N-VA) reached an agreement on forming a government and its policies. Bart De Wever was sworn in as prime minister on 3 February.

"In terms of energy, the agreement provides for the development of a long-term strategy ensuring an affordable, safe and carbon-neutral energy mix composed of renewables, nuclear energy and other forms of carbon-neutral energy, which guarantees security of supply, affordability for citizens and businesses, and sustainability," Les Engagés said.

"It will also involve lifting the ban on the construction of new nuclear capacities in the very short term and taking all necessary measures to extend the life of units that meet safety standards. Specifically with regard to Doel 4 and Tihange 3, the agreement aims to extend their lifetime by at least 10 additional years in addition to the 10 years already agreed."

Belgium currently has five power reactors in operation: Doel units 1, 2 and 4 and Tihange units 1 and 3, with a combined generating capacity of about 4 GWe.

Under a plan announced by Belgium's coalition government in December 2021, Doel 3 was shut down in September 2022, while Tihange 2 shut down at the end of January 2023. The newer Doel 4 and Tihange 3 would be shut down by 2025. However, following the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022 the government and Electrabel began negotiating the feasibility and terms for the operation of the reactors for a further 10 years.

Belgium finalised plans in December 2023 to extend the lifetimes of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 by 10 years, providing capacity of 2 GWe from the reactors, which are 89.8% owned by Engie's Electrabel and 10.2% by EDF's subsidiary Luminus. The decision to extend their lifetimes was designed to boost the country's energy security while keeping carbon emissions as low as possible.

The European Commission opened an in-depth investigation in July last year into whether the support for the lifetime extension of the two reactors was in line with its rules on acceptable state aid.

Last week, Engie CEO Vincent Verbeke said it was "unthinkable" to keep the reactors in operation beyond the initial 10-year period.

In addition to maintaining the current 4 GWe of nuclear generating capacity, the government aims to construct a further 4 GWe of capacity, Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet was quoted as saying by financial daily Tijd.

"It's 4 gigawatts plus 4 gigawatts," Bihet said, without specifying locations and timing for the new reactors. He noted that building new small modular reactors (SMRs) alone could not provide sufficient capacity. "Which technology we will use, we still have to evaluate. But it is clear that it will not only be SMRs. Only small reactors will not suffice."

Industry stands ready to help

The agreement announced by the Arizona coalition partners was welcomed by the Belgian Nuclear Forum, saying it "puts the revival of nuclear power at the centre of its major concerns".

It added: "There is no time to lose on the energy issue. We must, without further delay and as a priority, adapt or even repeal the law on the nuclear phase-out, so that there is no longer any legal obstacle to the extension of existing reactors and the construction of new nuclear reactors."

The organisation said it was now "urgent" to set up a task force bringing together all stakeholders "who will enable this revival of nuclear power".

"It is important that we get to work immediately so that this relaunch of nuclear power in Belgium is carried out on time and within the budget planned to deal with the electricity shortage announced, in particular by [transmission system operator] Elia," it said. "We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past by working in separate silos. We call on governments at different levels of power (federal, community, regional and communal) to work together, in close collaboration with the task force mentioned above."

The Forum said that if Engie maintains its stance against a further extension to the operation of the units "the government will have to switch to an alternative plan as soon as possible with the help of the task force. This means that it will be necessary to find another interested operator(s) to continue operating the existing nuclear reactors".

It added that Belgium must also develop a long-term vision that includes the development of new nuclear capacity. "This involves, in particular, a significant simplification of administrative procedures, at the level of granting licences and permits. It is also essential to ensure the necessary legal framework in order to reassure private investors, as well as potential new operators."

"All these elements are essential in the eyes of the nuclear sector to be able to build the new reactors within the announced deadlines and budgets. The nuclear sector is already putting itself at the service of the new government, to help it achieve our country's objectives in terms of energy transition and in terms of security of energy supply."