Belgium resumes talks with Engie on nuclear reactor extensions

By Charlotte Van Campenhout

BRUSSELS, Feb 5 (Reuters) - The Belgian government said on Thursday it had resumed talks with French utility Engie ENGIE.PA over potential extensions of the country's nuclear reactors, confirming an earlier report from Belgian newspaper L’Echo.

The Belgian government declined to give more information on what it said were on-going talks with the utility company.

After an initial meeting with Prime Minister Bart De Wever, another meeting is planned between Engie and Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet, L'Echo reported.

Engie did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The government is exploring whether Doel 4 and Tihange 3, already set to operate 10 years longer under a previous deal, could be extended for up to 20 years, and whether other reactors could also remain online.

Tihange is a 1,038 megawatt (MW) reactor in eastern Belgium, while Doel is a 1,039 MW reactor near the port city of Antwerp. The reactors, which entered service in 1985, make up 35% of the country's nuclear energy capacity.