Nuclear power phase-out: good, but insufficient. “The bar is on the ground”

The De Croo government decided to postpone the nuclear power phase-out. MP Bert Wollants, who has opposed the nuclear power phase-out for many years, reacts with both relief and anger: “It is at least a good thing that the nuclear power phase-out will not take place in 2025. Let us not forget, however, that it took a war for the De Croo government to realise what green madness it was threatening to step into.” Moreover, the envisaged extension of 10 years is not enough, says Bert Wollants. “That should have been at least 20 years.”

As many nuclear power stations as possible and for as long as possible

“The Ukraine crisis has shuffled our cards so much that we have to go for maximum energy independence. This means not only keeping as many nuclear power stations as possible open as long as it is safe to do so, but also keeping them open for at least 20 years longer. Anyone who today chooses to extend only two nuclear power stations for 10 years is setting the bar on the ground. I therefore find it incomprehensible that no consideration is being given to examining what else can be done. We really need those profits in the coming decades to reduce the population’s energy bills.”

Engie twice past the checkout

Bert Wollants is also annoyed by the government’s procrastination, which means that Engie will go past the checkout twice. “Engie will get its subsidised gas-fired power station and can now also extend the nuclear power stations at a much higher price due to the government’s postponement.”

Plan B not prepared

“In addition, Minister Van der Straeten was so confident about her plan A that she apparently did not even prepare for the extension of nuclear power stations. She still has to start the conversations with Engie. The question is whether she will succeed and whether we can trust her with this task after her dogmatic mismanagement of the past eighteen months.”