Belgium’s Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet has made headlines with his recent statements advocating for a significant shift in the country’s energy policy. In his first interview with the international press since taking office, Bihet expressed his vision for overhauling Belgium’s approach to low-emissions technology, focusing primarily on nuclear energy. His comments are directed at increasing concerns over Europe’s energy dependence on Russia. They call attention to the critical demand for a more aggressive energy policy throughout Europe.
Bihet, a.k.a. Atomic Boy to Belgian legislators, has been a long-time proponent of nuclear power. Alerting his colleagues to the great stakes involved, he underscored that the fate of Europe’s future energy rests on rallying behind atomic power. He feels like nuclear power is an economic imperative, but pun intended, this is a personal commitment for him. His position highlights a growing trend among European leaders. They are urgently looking for green and dependable energy as the world faces rising geopolitical tensions.
A New Direction in Nuclear Energy
During an interview with POLITICO at the North American Energy Summit in Denver last month, Bihet detailed his far-reaching goals to transform Belgium’s energy paradigm. One of his main proposals would get rid of the 2003 law. This law makes it impossible, for the time being, to build new nuclear reactors in Belgium. Given the growing demand for energy, he contends that extending the life of the country’s two existing reactors is critical to meeting those future needs.
Bihet’s vision extends beyond mere maintenance. He aims to potentially double Belgium’s installed nuclear capacity. “Europe needs to coalesce around atomic energy,” he continued. He underlined the need for a coordinated response from all European countries. This change in direction comes at a time when many countries are reconsidering their energy strategies due to climate commitments and security concerns.
Bihet’s commitment to nuclear power is rooted in the belief that it can play a central role in Europe’s industrial project. Additionally, he hopes to lure new industries like manufacturing to Belgium by showing nuclear energy is a clean and stable source of power. He has advanced the use of nuclear energy as a priority in Belgium’s reindustrialization agenda. His vision is a more sustainable economic future for his entire region.
Cautious Stance on Russian Energy
In addition to advocating for more nuclear power, Bihet focused on Belgium’s current energy dependence on Russia. He expressed skepticism about rebuilding dependable energy relationships between Europe and Russia. It is unrealistic, he said, to imagine that overnight we can go back to our normal economic relations with Russia. His remarks are indicative of a larger anxiety among European leaders about the unreliability of Russia as an energy provider.
Bihet is in favor of phasing out Russian LNG imports but has so far stopped short of calling for a full ban. He believes that any decision regarding a full ban on Russian energy imports must come after careful coordination with neighboring countries. This prudent stance illustrates just how difficult it is to start moving away from an energy dependence on Russia while still maintaining stable energy supply.
The Changing Perception of Nuclear Power
Bihet’s advocacy for nuclear energy arrives when public opinion on nuclear power is changing. He noted that only five years ago, the public perception of nuclear energy was very poor. Now, he says, the tide has turned on nuclear power. His optimism is understandable given the increasing acceptance of nuclear energy as a low-emission alternative in the climate change urgency burgeoning on the world.
The minister’s proactive stance signals a pivotal moment for Belgium’s energy policy. Bihet is an enthusiastic proponent of nuclear energy, lobbying for its incorporation into Europe’s industrial base. His mission is to change the conversation about nuclear power and to tell the story of its vital importance as we work toward long-term sustainability.
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