VZCZCXYZ0014
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBS #1951 3590901
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240901Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8407

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001951 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDOC FOR 4212/ITA/MAC/EUR/OECA/WNE/JLEVINE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG TRGY BEXP BTIO BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: PROVISIONAL RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR 
INFORMATION ON BELGIUM'S NUCLEAR ENERGY PLANS 
 
REF: STATE 127468 
 
¶1.  Belgium has no immediate plans to expand its nuclear 
power program.  Under existing law passed in the late 1990's, 
Belgium will be required to shutter its two existing nuclear 
power plants (that are comprised of seven reactors: three at 
Tihange in Wallonia, and four at Doel, in Flanders) by 2015, 
when they are scheduled to meet the normal end of their 
life-cycle, although it would not be a surprise or 
controversial if the law were amended before that time to 
permit the plants to continue to function, and a study 
commissioned by the Ministry of Energy in 2006 suggested that 
the nuclear phase-out should be reconsidered.  One Belgian 
nuclear energy sector expert indicated to post that the 
plants' operating life could easily be extended 10 or 20 
years. 
 
¶2.  The Belgian government has commissioned a study by 
independent experts on the country's energy situation, to be 
completed sometime after regional elections set for June, 
2009  (Note:  on December 22, the King accepted the 
resignation of the current government, which will nonetheless 
stay in power as a caretaker government until a new 
government can be formed; this process could take an unknown 
amount of time.  Post'sassumption is that the energy study 
commissioned by the Government will be carried out, but it is 
too soon to know for sure.  End note.)  The post-election 
date was selected so that the energy issue would not become 
involved in domestic politics.  An advisor to the Minister of 
Energy told the Embassy that the Ministry expects the report 
to assist the government in making choices about energy 
supply, including on whether to increase the nuclear energy 
component.  The advisor said the current Minister is taking a 
pragmatic view on nuclear energy, and is neither 'pro' or 
'con' nuclear power, and for that reason asked for the report. 
 
¶3.  Belgium's nuclear power is produced by Electrabel, a 
subsidiary of Gaz de France/Suez; Electrabel announced in 
mid-December 2008 that it was ceding rights to some of its 
production (500 MW) from its Belgian nuclear plants to the 
German energy company E.on, as part of a larger commercial 
transaction with E.on designed to meet requirements for 
reducing Electrabel's dominant position of Belgium's electric 
generation; E.on in turn will offer 700 MW from three nuclear 
plants to Belgium. 
 
¶4.  According to the latest International Energy Agency 
statistics, in 2008 through September, nuclear power provided 
over 52 percent of the country's domestically produced 
electricity (and just under 44 percent of total electricity, 
including imports--Belgium is a net importer of electricity). 
 
¶5.  The Government is not involved in financing of nuclear 
plants, which is carried out by industry. 
 
¶6.  Post did not have the opportunity to meet with 
representatives of Belgium's regulatory authority, or with 
private sector actors, in the time frame given, but will 
report the results of such a meeting once it takes place. 
The Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (AFCN) is the main 
regulator. 
 
¶7.  The civil nuclear power sector is dominated by the French 
company Suez; a Belgian nuclear sector expert with long 
experience in the industry indicates that many experts and 
employees in the nuclear industry are from France, but post 
does not have detailed information to confirm that statement. 
 The same expert indicated that Belgium does not have enough 
home-grown experts in the sector, as few young people in 
recent years have elected to study (or be trained in) 
nuclear-related matters. 
 
¶8.  Post understands that Westinghouse Electric provides 
services to the civil nuclear energy industry in Belgium; 
post was unable to confirm if other U.S. companies also do 
so. 
 
¶9.  Post will report additional information in response to 
reftel request, as acquired. 
BUSH 
 
 
 
 
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