Belgium Plans To Nationalize Nuclear Power Plants (bbc.com)
- Reference: 0183080824
- News link: https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/26/04/30/2029222/belgium-plans-to-nationalize-nuclear-power-plants
- Source link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g05jg87wko
> The move would [2]reverse the phase-out of nuclear energy legislation approved in the early 2000s [3]amid safety concerns prohibiting the building of new nuclear power plants and limiting the operating lifetimes of existing ones to 40 years. Only two of Belgium's seven nuclear reactors are operational - located at plants in Doel and in Tihange - and their operating licenses were recently extended until 2035. The other five reactors were shut between 2022 and 2025 and plans to dismantle them will now be suspended.
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> Engie and the government said they aim to reach an agreement on the takeover of the nuclear stations by October 1st. In a joint statement with Engie, the Belgian government said the move also highlights its aim to extend operations of existing nuclear reactors and to develop "new nuclear capacity" in Belgium. "By doing so, the Belgian Government is taking responsibility for Belgium's long-term energy future, with the objective of building a financially and economically viable activity that supports security of supply, climate objectives, industrial resilience and socio-economic prosperity," the statement adds.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g05jg87wko
[2] https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/22/09/25/178212/belgium-shuts-down-nuclear-reactor-for-first-time
[3] https://yro.slashdot.org/story/16/01/18/0115219/belgiums-aging-nuclear-plants-worry-neighbors
happy (Score:2)
I think engie is very happy to get rid of those ancient powerplants. Too much trouble. Also doing this during an energy crisis puts the government in a rather weak negotiation position. Let's hope they think this through.
Re: happy (Score:2)
As a Belgian, I am not that happy about the idea of re-nationalizing TGEM with Engie.
The nuclear provisions fund (via Synatom) was supposed to cover decommissioning and waste. It was built up during decades when the plants were still public and nit profitable. But a big part of that money was lent back to Electrabel, which then could generate profits on it and pay dividends to Engie shareholders.
So profits where privatized, and now the longterm risks become public again. Restarting these plants will take ad
Re: (Score:2)
Or you convert the excess electric energy in summer to PtL (Power to Liquid) and thus reducing the dependency on fossil oil. Converting it into green hydrogen is another possible use. Aluminium production is also an option. Store it in heat batteries so summer production can be used in winter. Desalinating seawater is an option too. Potable water shortages are looming.
Tihange is dangerous (Score:4)
I live relatively close to the Tihange plant (the plant is in Belgium, I live in the Netherlands). The reactor regularly automatically shuts down due to several issues. The concrete containment buildings are full of cracks, they are falling apart due to concrete degradation. Of one of those buildings the building plans have vanished.
Some years ago the Dutch government distributed iodine pills for everyone under the age of 18 who lives in a certain radius of the plant. The plant is old and should be shut down.
Re: Tihange is dangerous (Score:3)
No worries, if it goes Tsjernobyl, we will pay for the damage. Not much cash, so we probably will give you a bit of land. Could be that there are remains of a powerplant on it. Mopke he mannekes! Schol!
Re: (Score:2)
Like most reactors in Europe, they are getting well past their design lifetime and only kept active by continual testing to demonstrate that degradation of the reactor vessel and systems is below some threshold of risk that the government is willing to tolerate.
Nationalizing them is inevitable. France did the same thing. They were always expensive and uncompetitive, but as they get older they reach the point where even the standard subsidies aren't enough and the government just has to take ownership.
Precarious legal environment (Score:3)
One aspect is that there is a law in place that forbids exploitation and requires decommissioning. The current government wants to take back into production 2 phased-out NPPs and keep 6 others in service. Engie probably sees a very politicized and volatile exploitation and investment environment. Still nationalised industry is not a good idea, I think.
Thank you (Score:2)
"Belgium plans to BUY its seven aging nuclear reactors "
Lots of people think 'nationalizing' is some patriotic act that doesn't cost anythin g.
It's not.
Socialize losses, Privatize profits (Score:1)
I hate when the wrong lesson is taken from the USA.
Re: (Score:2)
1. Ban nuclear in the law
2. Buy nuclear plants
3. Unban nuclear
4. Profit