Guaranteeing Belgium’s energy supply for the first two months of next year will be “tight”, admits Philippe Van Troeye, the CEO of Engie Electrabel and Engie Benel. L’Echo published an interview with him on Saturday. Mr Van Troeye said his company is taking its responsibilities seriously. “I haven’t resigned myself to the idea that there will be power cuts just yet”, he said.
“It will be tight in January and February. But it was also tight in November, with just one reactor in operation. Still, we coped. January and February will be colder months, with access to imports less certain”, the Engie CEO said. He has assured the public he is taking his responsibilities seriously.
“First off, we are mobilising our teams to get the reactors back on the network progressively. Second, we will get additional facilities in place, such as cogeneration plants and the plant in Vilvorde which was no longer in service. We have also asked our big industrial clients to be more flexible with their demand”, says Mr Van Troeye. He said a total of 1,000 extra megawatts will be made available, “which is equivalent to another reactor”.
“Power cuts are not a given. We are still working to get additional facilities in place. I haven’t abandoned other avenues just yet either. Electrabel is continuing to offer solutions”, says its CEO.
Floating electric plants are still being explored, “but will be used only as a last resort in a worst-case scenario, should we have no Tihange 3, Doel 1 or 2...”, he added.
The Brussels Times
