Engie must set aside an additional 3 billion euros to finance the dismantling of nuclear power plants. This is according to a report by Niras, the national institution for radioactive waste, as reported by De Tijd and L’Echo.
The French energy company, which operates the seven nuclear power plants in Belgium, has agreed with the Belgian state on the storage of nuclear waste. This totals 15 billion euros.
However, the company is responsible for decommissioning the nuclear power plants. Engie has set aside approximately 8.77 billion euros for this purpose, but according to a new recommendation from Niras, this amount should be increased to approximately 12 billion euros.
Engie emphasizes that this is a preliminary and non-binding recommendation. Discussions are therefore still ongoing between Engie and the Nuclear Facilities Commission (CNV), an independent watchdog responsible for assessing whether sufficient funds have been set aside.
City Huy against dismantling
Last week, Engie also announced plans to dismantle the cooling towers at the Tihange 1 and 2 nuclear power plants, even though the De Wever government would like to keep one of the two units operating.
Meanwhile, the city of Huy has appealed against the planned demolition of the cooling towers. On Friday, the College of Mayors and Aldermen decided to appeal to the Walloon Minister of Infrastructure against the decision to grant Engie an environmental permit for the dismantling of the cooling towers at the Tihange 1 and 2 nuclear power plants.
According to the city, these are irreversible interventions. In its argument, the administration cites, among other things, the socio-economic impact, the potential damage to the town, the risk of job losses, and the possibility that the two reactors could be returned to service if energy policy changes.
“Our goal is to bring this issue to the attention of the Walloon government, where the majority has included the extension of nuclear energy in its program,” says mayor Christophe Collignon (PS). “It is important that the debate on this issue be reopened.”
