Minister Demir visiting the Dutch nuclear power station Borssele

The federal government reached an agreement two months ago to negotiate with Engie to keep the two newest nuclear power stations open longer. There is still no sign of any result, which worries Flemish Energy Minister Zuhal Demir. She went on a working visit today to the Borssele nuclear power station in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is about the same age as our oldest nuclear reactors and has already been extended in the past by 20 years, until 2033. Moreover, the Dutch government wants to make a further extension possible and is also investing in new nuclear reactors. “Dogma rules our country, but fortunately, our neighbours to the north have understood that you will never be able to go to climate neutrality by 2050 without nuclear power,” Zuhal Demir says.

“If we want to leave fossil fuel power stations behind us completely and achieve climate neutrality in the future, we have no choice but to facilitate investments in nuclear energy. This is currently impossible due to the law on nuclear phase-out. As a result, potential researchers and investors are staying away,” Zuhal Demir explains after her visit to the Dutch Borssele.

New nuclear capacity

“The Borssele nuclear power station was built in 1973 and is comparable to our oldest power station, Doel 1. Nevertheless, ours is closing, and this one will continue to run until 2033. Moreover, the Dutch government recently decided to start the further life extension of Borssele and is also initiating investments in new nuclear capacity. That is the direction we have to take in our country, too,” Zuhal Demir says.

Flanders has an excellent score in renewable energy

Flanders is doing very well when it comes to renewable energy. It is in the top four for onshore wind energy and is even third when it comes to solar panels installed per resident. Last year was indeed the third-best year ever for additional wind energy.

Clean nuclear power stations rather than polluting gas-fired power stations

“However, there are limitations to renewable energy, of course. It is not always available, so there must be a good, sensible base capacity. Especially if we all switch to electricity. And I would then rather see clean nuclear power stations than polluting gas-fired power stations,” Zuhal Demir says.