French Engie agrees with Belgium to extend operation of two reactors

French energy company Engie has agreed with the Belgian state to extend the operation of two Belgian nuclear reactors. The Tihange 3 and Doel 4 units will operate for another ten years. The French company announced the agreement today on its website. All liabilities for nuclear waste will be transferred to the Belgian government. Engie will therefore not face future costs associated with waste management.

The Tihange 3 reactor is located in eastern Belgium and has a capacity of 1038 megawatts. The Doel 4 reactor, with a capacity of 1039 megawatts, is located near the Belgian port city of Antwerp. The reactors began operating in 1985.

Belgium had originally planned to phase out nuclear power completely by 2025 and rely more on natural gas. However, it reconsidered its plans following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary have since also decided to build new reactors, while Czechia and Bulgaria are planning to do so. France has traditionally been a strong supporter of nuclear power and plans to build at least six new reactors and extend the lifespans of older ones.

Some German politicians would also like to return to nuclear power. For example, Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder is calling for the restart of three nuclear power plants that were shut down two years ago. The government of Chancellor Angela Merkel decided in May 2011 to end electricity generation from nuclear power in the country in response to the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. Merkel’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), whose current leader Friedrich Merz is likely to become the next chancellor, now considers the decision a mistake.