The postponement of the nuclear phase-out postponed

Due to the resignation of the federal government the legislative decision to amend the Act of 2003 that set the phase-out of the nuclear power plants is postponed awaiting the result of the general elections on 13 June 2010.

In October 2009, the federal government reached an agreement with GDF Suez on the postponement of the nuclear phase-out for the three eldest nuclear power plants (Doel I, Tihange I and Doel II). By way of compensation it was agreed that the nuclear operators (GDF Suez and EDF-SPE) would be a yearly contribution of 215-245 million euro until 2014. As from 2014 the yearly contribution would be set by a special follow-up committee. GDF Suez also promised to maintain employment in Belgium and to invest in renewable energy.

Earlier this year, the European Commission send a five pages long questionnaire to the Belgian government, raising substantial questions on the agreement in principle. The Belgian minister of energy responded to this questionnaire beginning of April.

Although the minister invoked a force majeure situation (insufficient production capacity if the three plants would shut down in 2015) and thus seemed to head for a prolongation of the life cycle by means of a simple royal decree, the minister clearly indicated in its response to the European Commission that the agreement in principle would have to be translated into a formal legislative text, adopted by parliament. The minister was preparing a draft text.

The resignation of the government makes that the resigning minister cannot propose such legislative text to its colleagues in the resigning government. The issue of the nuclear phase-out will be part of the negotiations in view of the formation of a new government.

Some political parties (amongst others the Flemish social-democrats and the Flemish and Walloon green parties) have indicated that they will oppose the execution of the agreement between GDF Suez and the resigning government. From their side, the nuclear sector indicated that the agreement would be binding in principle and that a new government cannot alter the principle of postponement engaged upon by the former coalation.

The postponement of the nuclear phase-out postponed