French energy giant Engie is urging the De Croo government to complete the billion-dollar deal on extending the lifespan of two nuclear reactors. Otherwise, security of supply will be compromised and Engie can demand compensation. De Tijd wrote this on Wednesday.
Engie, the parent company of Electrabel, sent a sharp letter to Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) and Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) on Friday, the business newspaper writes. Engie calls on both to adhere to the agreements of the nuclear deal of December 2023. This deal allows the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors to remain open for ten years longer and Engie buys off its obligations regarding nuclear waste for 15 billion euros.
According to Engie, the government has not yet fulfilled all the agreements in the deal. Engie’s top management and the government signed the deal a year ago, but the closing hasn’t happened yet. We are waiting for the green light from Europe. That is expected in December or January.
But the Belgian government is also delaying, says Engie. It points out that the government urgently needs to appoint some key figures. This concerns the chairman and two directors of Hedera, the new government agency that will house the billions for nuclear waste management. In addition, the government must appoint a board and a financial director for Be-Nuc, the new joint venture that will operate the two nuclear reactors.