The “security of supply“is at the heart of the FANC’s concerns. In its note, this concept appears 16 times, notes the VRT alongside that of”general interest“. It will be necessary “additional nuclear power generation in future winters“, notes the FANC.
To achieve this, there would be no other solution than to use the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors, even if the latter would normally have to be put on hold for the duration of the rehabilitation work necessary for their extension for ten years. . This is the alternative scenario proposed by the FANC. A scenario of this type has also been on the table for a few weeks, as we mentioned at the end of February.
In the FANC’s new plan, Doel 4 and Tihange 3 would produce electricity during the winters of 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The work needed to extend them for ten years would be rescheduled at a later date, after 2026, during the annual summer maintenance. This work should be completed by 2029.
According to the FANC, this new planning of the works could take place in complete safety because these are the most recent reactors for which it would also be easier to order new fuel.
We now have to see what the operator, Engie, thinks. According to the VRT, the FANC would have contacted Engie and there would be an opening. We asked the question to Engie where we are told that we have “no official request has been received at this stage to carry out studies for such a scenario“. “We are carrying out the preparatory studies taking into account the current known framework”, we continue at Engie where we will not make any further comments for the moment.
The ball is therefore in the court of the government, which will have to decide. The point will be on the agenda of a kern, a restricted council of ministers, this Monday, March 6.