Flanders launches industry plan with focus on nuclear energy
A few weeks after European industry leaders launched the Clean Industrial Deal in Antwerp, Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele has presented the Flemish Industry Plan at the site of silicone producer Soudal in Turnhout. The plan focuses on nuclear energy, reducing CO2 emissions, innovation and talent.
“The Flemish government is responding to the rapidly changing economic and geopolitical reality,” Diependaele said. “We are joining hands with industry federations to give the industry room to do business and produce. This is essential not only for our prosperity, but also for Flanders' strategic independence.”
“By the end of this year, we will determine concrete possibilities for the construction of small modular nuclear reactors”
The plan starts from a few “priority action areas” to be translated into dozens of concrete actions. As the energy cost is usually the biggest headache for the industry, the Flemish government is putting the focus on nuclear energy.
“By the end of this year, we will determine concrete possibilities for the construction of small modular nuclear reactors,” Diependaele said. “The potential of these innovative reactors is extremely high. I will immediately instruct the Participation Company Flanders to determine how we can financially participate in nuclear energy.”
Safe and flexible
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are considered easier and cheaper to develop, generate less nuclear waste and are safer and more flexible to switch on and off than the current generation of nuclear reactors.
Despite general enthusiasm, no SMR has been built so far in the West. According to De Tijd, there are a lot of obstacles and questions for Flanders, concerning permits and locations.
Flanders also wants to collect the knowledge of the Strategic Research Centres - imec, VITO, Flanders Make and VIB - into “one industrial knowledge platform”. The government promises to provide energy-intensive companies with tailored guidance on decarbonisation, through public-private financing in carbon capture utilisation and storage.
The Flemish government also wants to put more focus on a stable licensing framework, STEM training and dual learning. The industry federations should help by working together more intensively locally to activate job seekers. Finally, the government wants to evaluate waste legislation, to reduce foreign dependence on raw materials.
#FlandersNewsService | Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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