Belgian government seeks to reverse nuclear phase-out policy
Belgium can certainly see the shit show going on in neighboring Germany, where nuclear phase out stupidity led to episodes of Dunkelflaute, and have left the economy in ruins, driven up electricity rates all over Europe, generating much anger in countries from which electricity is exported to Germany, driving up local costs. This has to suck in Poland, whose coal generated power kills people (as coal plants do whenever they operate), although unlike Germany, Poland has a plan to move away from coal by going nuclear against extreme global heating and the associated death toll of running its powerplants.
Belgium had a nonsensical nuclear phaseout plan but has come to its senses:
Belgian government seeks to reverse nuclear phase-out policy
Some excerpts:
..."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...
The Wolf is at the door it seems; they need only look over the border.
Nuclear power has provided, over the last 12 months, as of this writing, according to the figures from Electricity Map 32.9% of Belgian electricity, making it largest source of electricity in the country followed by dangerous natural gas and wind energy in that order. It is probably often the case that when the wind isn't blowing in Germany, which happens quite often driving up electricity prices all over Europe, it is also not blowing in Belgium, making things even worse.
The carbon intensity of electricity of Belgium over this period of the last 12 months is 196 grams CO2/kWh, roughly half that of the antinuke coal dependent hellhole next door, Germany, which comes in at 393 grams CO2/kWh over the same period.
Belgium might wish to consider refurbishing its closed reactors and restarting them as well as building new reactors.
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