A general view of the Tihange nuclear power plant of Engie Electrabel in Tihange, Belgium, 31 August 2020;
Credit: Reuters / Bart Biesemans / File Photo
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The Belgian government has reached a deal confirming that its existing nuclear power plants will close in 2025, while keeping up investment in nuclear power technology, public broadcasters RTBF and VRT said on Thursday.
The seven-party coalition has wrestled for weeks on the topic, with the Greens adamant that a 2003 law setting out a nuclear exit be respected, while the French-speaking liberals favoured keeping the two newest reactors open.
Belgium's two nuclear plants, with seven reactors in total, are operated by French utility Engie.
After talks through the night, a core group of ministers have settled on a compromise whereby the last existing nuclear power plant will close in 2025, the broadcasters said.
However, Belgium will invest €100 million in research into future nuclear power, with emphasis on smaller modular reactors.
The government is due to hold a news conference at 11:00 on Thursday.
Belgium still needs to establish how to make up for the energy shortfall, with gas-fired plants being an option. A decision on that may only be taken by March.
