Belgium looking for new energy sources

As Belgium slowly backs away from its reliance on nuclear power, the country is hard-pressed to find alternative sources of energy. It has therefore launched a scheme to subsidise energy companies that make energy available, thereby reducing the risk of a blackout, according to Financieel Dagblad.

Belgium has traditionally been heavily dependent on energy generated from nuclear power plants, and is now looking for new alternatives. Next year Belgium plans to shut down two reactors in Doel, near the Dutch border, increasing the urgency of the need for new energy sources.

Despite ongoing funding, there is a real risk of a power deficit of 900MW, when the sun is not shining and windmill power is low. Therefore, the Belgian government launched a subsidy plan, offering companies up to €90 per kilowatt capacity made available, to maintain the grid and prevent a blackout.

The plan has met with strong criticism from the Belgian energy watchdog Creg, which prefers to import energy from neighbouring countries. The Belgian minister of energy, however, has already announced the intention to go through with the subsidy plan.