Belgium Faces 2025 Capacity Crunch: Timera

The Belgian council of ministers two months ago committed to close the country's nuclear power plants by 2025, removing 50% of generation output.

Belgium has seven nuclear units, with closures scheduled of 1 gigawatt in 2022, 1GW in 2023 and the remaining 3.9GW in 2025. Renewables can’t fill the gap fast enough, setting the potential for a major supply crunch, London-based consultancy Timera Energy said in a blogpost May 29.  

After allowing for some renewable capacity buildout, Timera estimates that Belgium will be left with a 3GW flexible capacity deficit -- not a massive technical challenge, and one which could be plugged by two large combined-cycle gas-fired plants (CCGTs).  However the consultancy says that may be inconsistent with the country's decarbonisation strategy. 

Combined heat and power (CHP) plants - also including gas use - may be an alternative, suggests Timera. But it cautions that adequate policy and support mechanisms to deliver significant volumes of CHP are not yet in place. Its full analysis can be read here.

(Photo credit: Doel nuclear power complex, one of two in Belgium - photo credit: Engie/Electrabel)