Three aging Belgium nuclear reactors should stay now open longer for another 10 years. The reason is that there is not enough alternative energy. Greenpeace counters the plan, saying that there are a few possibilities.

Belgium runs seven nuclear reactors in two plants. The government decided six years ago to close down three reactors, two near the city of Antwerp and one in the south of Belgium. But plans changed when the leading Belgian electricity provider Electrabel offer €350 million per year to the government to keep the reactors open longer maybe for another 10 years. The reason is, that Electrabel will probably not be able to supply sufficient energy to Belgium.

Energy Minister Paul Magnette said that Belgium needs 55 percent of the country’s electricity instead of nuclear power in alternative energy. But for example, wind power is only 1,4 percent from Belgian electricity production and the former source of energy coal is exhausted at all or even available on high prices. Hence the main reason for keeping the reactors open longer is that there is not enough alternative energy.

The environmental organisation Greenpeace criticises the proposal of Minister Magnette. Keeping the nuclear reactors open longer will have a negative effect for the development of alternative energy. “Who will invest in renewable [energy] while there is still lack of clarity regarding an end to nuclear energy?”, asks Greenpeace campaign director Jan Vande Putte. He also underlines the fact that the North Sea is the best location for an off-shore wind turbine park.

Sources: flandersnews.be, forexyard.com

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