Energy company Engie is urging the Federal Government to make key appointments in businesses related to nuclear energy extension in a letter to outgoing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) and Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen), as reported by L'Echo and De Tijd on Wednesday.
The letter, written in English and dated 6 December, stresses the need for a management committee for Hedera, the company created to manage the €15 billion in nuclear provisions which Engie must pay to offload its nuclear waste responsibility.
It also calls for directors and a financial officer for Be-Nuc, the joint venture between the State and Engie that will house the two extended reactors.
"If Belgium does not make these appointments soon it will be a breach of its obligations, allowing Electrabel and Engie not to proceed with the closing and to claim damages," the letter stated. The fact that the Federal Government is still in the process of being formed does not alter these urgent appointments, Engie argued.
Outgoing Energy Minister Van der Straeten is keen to finalise the appointments as quickly as possible. "We are at a critical point," she said. "The teams are racing against the clock to finalise this matter."
However, the 'Arizona' coalition intends to shake up the nuclear sector. It feels that there are too many structures with Hedera, Be-Nuc and Be-Watt, in addition to the Nuclear Supply Commission, AFCN and Ondraf.
