Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1951
2008-12-24 09:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

BELGIUM: PROVISIONAL RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR

Tags:  ENRG TRGY BEXP BTIO BE 
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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

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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