War in Ukraine: Belgium postpones nuclear phase-out by ten years - also because of rising energy prices

Created: 03/18/2022, 22:26

By: Kathrin Reikowski

The Tihange Nuclear Power Plant.

Belgium wants to postpone nuclear phase-out by ten years.

©Oliver Berg/dpa

Belgium postpones nuclear phase-out by ten years.

Deficiencies in nuclear power plants had already raised concerns in the past - including in Germany.

Brussels – Belgium* wants to postpone the nuclear phase-out planned for 2025 by ten years: Two Belgian nuclear power plants are to run ten years longer than planned.

The Tihange 3 nuclear power plant, located near the German border, and the Doel 4 nuclear power plant near Antwerp are scheduled to continue operating until 2035.

After government deliberations, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo confirmed the decision on Friday evening.

Belgium wants to postpone nuclear phase-out because of the Ukraine war and higher energy prices

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.

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.

Belgium's nuclear power plants have long been a cause for concern - including in Germany

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 Doel sites near Antwerp and Tihange near Liège.