More than two nuclear power plants open longer? Grun: “Security of supplies will lead the government” | interior

After the budget meeting of the Vivaldi government, Tuesday is a signal from MR that the door is open to keep nuclear power plants other than Doel 4 and Tihange 3 open for a longer period. However, this reading was immediately contradicted by other sources. The topic was discussed – unexpectedly – again on Wednesday during Prime Minister Alexandre de Croo’s State of the Union debate (Open Vld).

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According to Water de Freundt, the explanation is straightforward. The government is currently negotiating with Electrabel about keeping the two newest nuclear power plants open for ten years longer after 2025. In the meantime, security of supply is constantly monitored. And if the data shows there is a problem, the government will act appropriately, according to De Freundt, who was joined by Open Vld chief Egbert Lachert. He said, “There are no taboos.”

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N-VA faction leader Peter De Roover concluded from this statement that there is indeed a possibility to keep nuclear power plants open for more than ten years and/or to extend more than two power plants, if circumstances warrant. “But if that possibility exists, that decision must be made now.”

Kurt Ravits argued in favor of Vlaams Belang for additional nuclear capacity, as well as for the expansion of the smallest nuclear power plants. “There is more technology than nuclear power alone,” replied de Freundt.

De Vriendt also defended the agreement to shell out excess profits in the energy sector. The government aims to get more than 3 billion euros of income for this purpose, but for Peter Mertens (PVDA) this is just a scrawny creature. He referred to the first proposal from Energy Minister Tine van der Straiten (Green), which includes 4.7 billion euros. Now you are asking hardly a billion euros from Engy at the head of the nuclear department. Mertens asked: Why did you deteriorate?

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“We are pioneers in Europe. Minister van der Straten should receive the applause,” said De Freundt. “You never take responsibility for politics. Then it is easy to say that it is never enough.”

On the other hand, Wouter Vermeersch (Vlaams Belang) focused on the excise tax reform that the government wants to link to the permanent reduction of the value-added tax on gas and electricity to 6 percent. He talked about “Operation Pocket Pants Pocket”, which was also refuted by the Green faction leader.

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