According to a press release:Discussions on extending the lifetime of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 are proceeding constructively. In an agreement of joint principlethe state Belgium and Engie have agreed terms regarding the future approach, timing and framework of the negotiations.”
For its part, the Engie group confirmed in a press release that it had signed a “non-binding declaration of intent“with the Belgian State”to assess the feasibility and conditions for renewing the two most recent nuclear reactors, Doel 4 and Tihange 3“.
Major geopolitical changes in Europe
An announcement that occurs in a context: “major geopolitical changes in Europe, namely the war in Ukraine, the impact of this war on the gas supply of neighboring countries, the unforeseen unavailability of several French nuclear power plants and the impact of all these elements on the Belgian electricity supply.”
From what we know, “the two parties are ready to discuss and agree on the conditions for starting the reactors in November 2026“provided that the safety authorities give their approval.
Within the framework as announced, the Belgian State will not be the operator and: “a stable and sustainable structure in which the Belgian State and Engie share the risks as well as the benefits through a new company to be created.” Engie specifies in this regard a new entity for the two nuclear power plants, with a 50/50 shareholding between the Belgian State and Electrabel.
Finally, the costs of dismantling nuclear power plants, and of managing fissile materials and radioactive waste are borne by the operator, the statement said. “The costs of waste and spent nuclear fuel management will be determined after a study, at the end of which discussions will begin around a “cap” and a risk premium to be defined. “
The extension of Doel 4 and Thiange 3 represents a total nuclear capacity of 2 GW.
In the meantime, the discussions will continue: “in the same constructive atmosphere“.