The energy giant Engie still expects an agreement with the Belgian Government to be reached by 30 June on extending the operation of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors.
The energy supplier confirmed the summer deadline on any deal with the Belgian State while announcing its quarterly results to shareholders on Thursday.
Both parties had previously agreed to a framework in January of this year to extend these nuclear reactors for the next ten years, with both set to be restarted by November 2026. The Federal Government sought to extend their lifespans to ensure sufficient energy production in Belgium in light of the war in Ukraine.
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Engie’s CEO Catherine MacGregor stated on Thursday that "despite progress having been made" between the company and the Belgian Government, "some key parameters are yet to be finalised."
The major issue is the expenses incurred due to decommissioning the older reactors and the disposal of nuclear waste. The Belgian Government had internally agreed on a set amount, above which they would pay to the supplier.
However, Engie is likely to demand more financial aid, having made €389 million on its Belgian nuclear reactors during the first three months of 2023, a third less than in the same period last year.
