Life Without Nuclear Is Not Realistic, Says Belgium’s New Energy Minister

Posted by NucNet on 7 November 2014 in NucNet

Policies & Politics

Claims that Belgium can do without nuclear energy are not realistic, Marie- Christine Marghem, the country’s new energy minister, said in an interview with the Het Laatste Nieuws newspaper.

“If someone claims that our country can do without nuclear energy in the medium- and long-term, they are lying or are not being realistic,” she said.

“I wish we could do without nuclear power, but today I cannot say whether this is possible.” Mrs Merghem said Belgium’s new coalition government, which took office last month, will need “a couple of years” to determine what the long- term energy mix should be. In 2011, Belgium decided that it will phase out its seven commercial nuclear reactors by 2025.

Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers): Belgium’s New Coalition Government Lays Out Plans For Nuclear (News No. 341, 23 October 2014)