Belgium is heavily dependent on imported energy. Its main indigenous source of energy used to be coal, but coal reserves are now almost exhausted or available only at uncompetitive prices. The country has no gas, no uranium, no oil and very limited hydraulic resources. Belgium has to import most of its primary energy sources. Consequently, it is extremely energy dependent. Belgium's nuclear industry has a long history. Its first prototype reactor was commissioned back in 1962. Nuclear reactors supply more than half of Belgium's electricity output. A law regarding the closure of Belgium’s nuclear power plants, which is scheduled to take place between 2015 and 2025, was approved by the federal parliament in January 2003. The law also prohibits the building of new power plants and limits the operational period of the existing nuclear power plants to 40 years. None of this phase-out policy is related to the condition or safety of the plants. The law does not affect the operation of research facilities, and does not rule out fusion as a future technology. The suitability of the law is now being questioned. If it is implemented, Electrabel, the country’s largest energy generator, will have to take initial steps with regard to the shutdown of the plants in 2009 or 2010.

The Commission on Energy (CE) 2030 report, Belgium’s Energy Challenges towards 2030, published on 22 June 2007, recommends reversing the current policy of nuclear phase-out. Indeed, Belgium has to decrease its GHG by about 15% (7.5% to conform to the Kyoto target and a further 7.5% to compensate for the increase in GHG emissions registered between 1990 and 2002). On 12 October 2009, the Belgian government decided to extend the period of operation of three reactors at the country’s nuclear power plants (Doel 1, Doel 2 and Tihange 1) by 10 years. The decision, which still needs to be approved by Belgium’s federal parliament is consistent with the recommendations of the GEMIX, a group of national and international experts that was in charge of identifying the optimal energy mix in order to secure sustainable energy supply at affordable prices.

Country Profile

Executive Summary

Belgium is heavily dependent on imported energy. Its main indigenous source of energy used to be coal, but coal reserves are now almost exhausted or available only at uncompetitive prices. The country has no gas, no uranium, no oil and very limited hydraulic resources. Belgium has to import most of its primary energy sources. Consequently, it is extremely energy dependent. Belgium's nuclear industry has a long history. Its first prototype reactor was commissioned back in 1962. Nuclear reactors supply more than half of Belgium's electricity output. A law regarding the closure of Belgium’s nuclear power plants, which is scheduled to take place between 2015 and 2025, was approved by the federal parliament in January 2003. The law also prohibits the building of new power plants and limits the operational period of the existing nuclear power plants to 40 years. None of this phase-out policy is related to the condition or safety of the plants. The law does not affect the operation of research facilities, and does not rule out fusion as a future technology. The suitability of the law is now being questioned. If it is implemented, Electrabel, the country’s largest energy generator, will have to take initial steps with regard to the shutdown of the plants in 2009 or 2010.

The Commission on Energy (CE) 2030 report, Belgium’s Energy Challenges towards 2030, published on 22 June 2007, recommends reversing the current policy of nuclear phase-out. Indeed, Belgium has to decrease its GHG by about 15% (7.5% to conform to the Kyoto target and a further 7.5% to compensate for the increase in GHG emissions registered between 1990 and 2002). On 12 October 2009, the Belgian government decided to extend the period of operation of three reactors at the country’s nuclear power plants (Doel 1, Doel 2 and Tihange 1) by 10 years. The decision, which still needs to be approved by Belgium’s federal parliament is consistent with the recommendations of the GEMIX, a group of national and international experts that was in charge of identifying the optimal energy mix in order to secure sustainable energy supply at affordable prices.

Belgium is heavily dependent on imported energy. Its main indigenous source of energy used to be coal, but the reserves are now almost exhausted or available only at uncompetitive prices. The country has no gas, no uranium, no oil and very limited hydraulic resources. Petroleum is the most widely used source of energy, followed by natural gas. Belgium has to import most of its primary energy. Consequently, it is very energy dependent. Belgium's nuclear industry has a long history. Its first prototype reactor was commissioned in 1962. Nuclear reactors supply more than half of Belgium's electricity output. Because of the country’s strategic location, cross-border trade in electricity and gas, as well as the energy policies of neighbouring countries, affect Belgium’s energy policy – in particular when it comes to security of energy supply, competition in energy markets and the fight against climate change. Belgium’s electricity grid is part of the Union for the Coordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE). Belgium imports electricity mostly from France, which generates most of its electricity from nuclear power.

A law regarding the closure of Belgium’s nuclear power plants, which is scheduled to take place from 2015 to 2025, was approved by the federal parliament in January 2003. The law also prohibits the building of new power plants and limits the operational period of the existing nuclear power plants to 40 years. None of this phase-out policy is related to the condition or safety of the nuclear plants.
The law does not affect the operation of research facilities, and does not rule out fusion as a future technology. The phase-out policy can only be reversed if new legislation is brought in or if a new government decides as much. This might occur if Belgium’s regulator (GREG) decided that security of supply would be threatened by the closure of the plants.

However, the suitability of the law is now being questioned. If it is implemented, Electrabel, Belgium’s largest energy generator will have to take initial steps with regard to the shutdown of the plants in 2009 or 2010. On 22 June 2007, the Commission on Energy (CE) 2030 report, Belgium’s Energy Challenges towards 2030, was published . One of the main recommendations made by the CE 2030, an expert committee set up by the Belgian government to identify an energy roadmap for Belgium up to 2030, is that the government reverse its nuclear phase-out policy. According to the report, current policy on nuclear is likely to lead to a doubling of electricity prices and its reversal would not only save money for consumers but also give Belgium a realistic chance of meeting its current and future energy needs and significantly cutting its CO2 emissions. The Belgian Nuclear Forum, one of FORATOM’s members, launched on 2 February the first ever extensive pro-nuclear public advertising campaign in Belgium. Its immediate aim is to open a dialogue with the Belgian public and make it more aware of the true facts and inherent advantages of nuclear energy.

The phase-out of nuclear power will result in an increase in the use of gas. The gas distributor in Belgium, Fluxsys, has estimated that there would be a 50% increase in the demand for gas, which implies that work would have to be started now to increase the capacity of the underground infrastructure. The recent oil price rise has increased gas prices. Moreover, a major accident took place in Ghislenghien in 2004, which was caused by a defect in the underground gas infrastructure. So, the question of whether gas is a better energy option than nuclear is currently being assessed.

On 12 October 2009, the Belgian government decided to extend the period of operation of three reactors at the country’s nuclear power plants (Doel 1, Doel 2 and Tihange 1) by 10 years. The decision, which still needs to be approved by Belgium’s federal parliament is consistent with the recommendations of the GEMIX, a group of national and international experts that was in charge of identifying the optimal energy mix in order to secure sustainable energy supply at affordable prices. However, nuclear power generators had to agree on a series of conditions. The main one is for electricity producers to allocate a significant part of nuclear profits to the State budget (€215 to 245€ million per year from 2010 to 2014). Electrabel and GDF-Suez have also already committed themselves to ensuring affordable prices, to investing in renewables and energy efficiency, to developing research on energy efficiency, environment and waste management, and to supporting employment and education and training in the energy sector. For instance, GDF-Suez has agreed to create 10,000 jobs by 2015.

Belgian nuclear plants have been commissioned between 1962 and 1985. The safety of Belgian nuclear power plants complies with Western standards. Licensing is granted by the authority of the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Interior, which have responsibility for running the federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) . The minister and the Agency are together responsible for promulgating and enforcing regulations designed to protect the employees of the nuclear plants and the population from the potential hazards of ionizing radiation. The Agency is assisted in technical matters by a Scientific Council of Experts and representatives from various authorities responsible for nuclear safety.

The Belgian Agency for the Management of Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Products (ONDRAF/NIRAS) was created in 1980 and is responsible for all radioactive waste management. ONDRAF/NIRAS is in charge of managing the transport, the reprocessing and the disposal of radioactive waste. The major developments that took place in the field of radioactive waste management during 2000 were mainly related to the return - from France to Belgium - of vitrified high-level radioactive waste from R&D. In January 1998, the Council of Ministers decided, in line the recommendations of ONDRA/NIRAS, to opt for a final solution (or a solution that could eventually become final) for the long term management of low-level and short-lived waste.

Between 1999 and 2003, three local partnerships were set up between ONDRAF/NIRAS and Belgian municipalities with nuclear installations on their territory: STOLA-Dessel in Dessel, MONA in Mol and PaLoFF in Fleurus-Farciennes. These three partnerships are working on a variety of integrated disposal projects. In January 2005, MONA submitted a recommendation to the Mol municipality stating that Belgian low and medium-level short-lived waste can be disposed of in Mol. It is now up to the Mol municipality to evaluate the conditions laid down and to decide whether the municipality is prepared to accept the repository, and under what conditions. Research on deep geological disposal in clay of high level waste (HADES) is being carried out according to a 1998-2003 research and development programme. Up until now, high-level waste has been stored in Dessel, in a specially designed building. Spent fuel is stored at the nuclear power plants in Doel and Tihange.

Belgium has signed the Kyoto Protocol and is committed to reducing its GHG emissions by 7.5% below 1990 levels by 2012. Therefore, the government has taken different measures to curb GHG emissions: by reducing taxes on “clean energy;” by improving energy efficiency in industry, transport and households and by promoting the construction of large offshore wind mills. It is anticipated that Belgium will find it very hard to meet its Kyoto targets. Indeed, Belgium has to decrease its GHG emissions by about 15% (7.5% to meet its Kyoto target, and a further 7.5% to compensate for the increase in GHG emissions that it registered between 1990 and 2002). The nuclear phase-out will not help Belgium meet this target.

According to the federal bureau, CO2 emissions from electricity generation will increase by 38% by 2030 compared to the 1990 levels. This would make it difficult for Belgium to meet its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. GHG emission plans approved by the Flemish, Walloon and Brussels Capital regions do take into account this fact, but so far the regions have failed to meet the plan’s objectives.

Public Acceptance

According to the Eurobarometer, Attitudes towards radioactive waste (June 2008), Belgians are quite divided about the use of nuclear power. Around 50% are in favour of nuclear energy. Nonetheless most of them (74%, Eurobarometer, Nuclear Safety , February 2007) believe that nuclear power plants can be operated safely.

Source of all charts: Statistical pocket book 2010, DG Energy