Belgian government and Engie near agreement on life extension of nuclear reactors

Significant progress has been made on the ongoing negotiations with Engie, the operator of Belgium's nuclear power plants, on the lifetime extension of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors, prime minister Alexander De Croo's spokesperson confirmed on Saturday.

De Croo, Energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten and Engie met on Friday, with "important progress" made. Other ministers were informed of the progress on Saturday. The parties intend to reach an agreement "in the course of the next few days". Once the deal is done, the government should give the go-ahead.

A spokesperson for Engie confirmed that "significant progress has been made" in negotiations with the federal government. "Talks are now continuing intensively, with the intention of signing an agreement soon."

The government and Engie reached an agreement in principle in January on keeping the two reactors open for longer, but Engie wanted a maximum bill for decommissioning the other plants and disposing of nuclear waste. More details on the deal are not known.

^{© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND}