Belgium faces power cuts after nuclear reactors malfunction

A mandatory closure of a nuclear reactor at the thermal plant during the winter could be considered a disaster. However, the closure of seven of these, covering 40 %s of the electricity supply, is considered problematic for Belgium.

An emergency plan has been made, under which highway lights will be stopped, industrial production will be suspended and there will be 3-hour power outages for homes across the country, if temperatures drop and demand for electricity will exceed the already limited power supply in the coming months, writes The Guardian newspaper.

Residents have been warned that bills will increase, despite being suggested they should save electricity.

The crisis has come from problems at nuclear power plant “Tihange”, west of Liez, closing three reactors. Unfortunately, three of the four reactors at Belgium's second nuclear power station are out of work because of planned repairs.

The gas plant, belonging to the “Bulgar Energy Market” in Vilorde in northern Belgium, has begun filling the share of the supply gap. Energy Minister Belg Marie-Christie Marghem told MPs the country has power coverage for December, but the situation is still unstable for January and February.

Belgium's fate, however, depends on weather forecasts in neighboring countries. A deal has been reached with France to receive electricity, but that may be impossible if low temperatures are to reign there. Also, there are technical problems in planning to obtain electricity from Germany.

Company leading nuclear plants “Engie Electric” has launched a marketing campaign in order to show industrial companies to use electricity as little as possible.

The distribution and power supply company “Elia” has launched an app where it is informing residents concerned about power cuts, duration and other information on the matter.