In the Chamber's plenary session this Thursday, MPs approved the ten-year extension of two nuclear reactors, a decision welcomed by the MR Group. After many months of negotiations, this extension marks a significant first step in guaranteeing Belgium's energy security.
For the MR Group: “While this is the culmination of a long fight to secure the country's energy supply, this extension is only the beginning. The MR is calling on the next government to agree on the construction of no less than 8 GW of new nuclear power, notably via SMRs by 2045.”
As a reminder, the government agreement provided, at the MR's initiative, for a series of mechanisms, including the extension of 2 GW of nuclear power in the event of a security-of-supply problem. Today, this clause from the government agreement is being put into practice with the extension of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors.
However, extending two reactors is not enough to meet Belgium's growing energy needs. With electricity consumption expected to rise by 35 to 50% over the next 15 years, it is urgent to guarantee our energy security for years to come.
The MR points out that a balanced energy mix of renewables and nuclear power is essential to ensure our security of supply, reduce prices, guarantee our energy independence and cut CO2 emissions.