For the Minister of Energy, soaring prices are the result of 20 years of political immobility: “We have the highest bills in Europe”

In recent days, following a position taken by employers’ federations and while the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is causing uncertainty over gas supplies, Groen’s Flemish partners in the majority have postponed or seemed to call into question the exit from nuclear power in 2025.

The Open Vld did not speak in the hemicycle on Thursday while Vooruit focused on the excess profits made by Engie-Electrabel. MP Leen Dierick (CD&V) on the other hand recalled that in the eyes of her party, it was necessary to study in depth both the scenario of the definitive exit from nuclear power and the extension of two reactors. “The concern is great among citizens and businesses regarding their energy bills,” she said.

“Security and no adventure, these are the words that I have heard in the mouth of certain entrepreneurs, and they are mine too”, underlined the minister. “The legacy we face following 20 years of collective immobility is particularly painful. We have the highest bills in Europe”.

According to the Minister, the solution for the future will involve renewing infrastructure and not extending power stations that are over 40 years old. The commitments made in the majority agreement in October 2020 and those made between the government partners on Christmas Eve will be respected, she assured. There will be a decision on March 18. Until then, “citizens expect professionalism from us”, she added.

In the French-speaking opposition, the complete exit from nuclear power in 2025 would be “irresponsible”, considers Georges Dallemand (cdH). “Reason nevertheless seems to be winning over certain parties of the Vivaldi”. It is not the phase-out of nuclear energy that explains the surge in energy prices but twenty years of political immobility, Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten told the House on Thursday in response to several questions. . In recent days, following a position taken by employers’ federations and while the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is causing uncertainty over gas supplies, Groen’s Flemish partners in the majority have postponed or seemed to call into question the exit from nuclear power in 2025.

The Open Vld did not speak in the hemicycle on Thursday while Vooruit focused on the excess profits made by Engie-Electrabel. MP Leen Dierick (CD&V) on the other hand recalled that in the eyes of her party, it was necessary to study in depth both the scenario of the definitive exit from nuclear power and the extension of two reactors. “The concern is great among citizens and businesses regarding their energy bills,” she said.

“Security and no adventure, these are the words that I have heard in the mouth of certain entrepreneurs, and they are mine too”, underlined the minister. “The legacy we face following 20 years of collective immobility is particularly painful. We have the highest bills in Europe”.

According to the Minister, the solution for the future will involve renewing infrastructure and not extending power stations that are over 40 years old. The commitments made in the majority agreement in October 2020 and those made between the government partners on Christmas Eve will be respected, she assured. There will be a decision on March 18. Until then, “citizens expect professionalism from us”, she added.

In the French-speaking opposition, the complete exit from nuclear power in 2025 would be “irresponsible”, considers Georges Dallemand (cdH). “Reason nevertheless seems to be winning over certain parties of the Vivaldi”.

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