The Belgian Electricity Landscape in the Context of the Nuclear Phase-out

In 2003, the Belgian government decided on a phase-out of its nuclear power fleet by 2025. The policy brief, authored by the Belgian consultancy Climact and commissioned by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union (hbs EU), investigates the current Belgian electricity landscape in preparation of this phase-out. It is a follow-up to an hbs EU expert conference held in spring 2016 on “Nuclear risks across borders”. Despite a number of irregularities and incidents at the Belgian NPPs Doel and Tihange, a lifetime extension was granted for the oldest plans (originally planned to phase out as early as 2015), so that all 7 reactors continue to be in service until 2025.

In how far is Belgium prepared and ready to fill the gap with renewable energy sources? What is the impact on electricity infrastructure, future investments, energy security and emissions? And how well is Belgium placed and connected for cooperation with its European neighbours?

The policy brief aims to contribute to the issues above and the feasibility of a Belgian energy transition as envisaged. It also clarifies these options looking beyond 2025, based on existing Belgian and European studies.