The challenge for Hedera and Be-Nuc is major: managing the 15 billion paid by Engie to fund the management of nuclear waste and manage the two reactors extended by ten years. Operation risks being hampered, Engie already warned at the beginning of December. Up to Arizona to decide?
Steven Vanackere, former CD&V Deputy Prime Minister, is no longer Deputy Governor of the National Bank. The Vivaldi government of Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) did not renew its mandate on time. But there are other pending appointments that are causing increasing concern.
Two new structures managed by the Belgian State remain without leaders: Hedera and Be-Nuc. However, they have a fundamental mission linked to the return of nuclear power to the country. The next Arizona government will have to quickly get down to business.
Two fundamental missions
Hedera will house funds for future nuclear waste management. Under the laborious agreement concluded with Engie, this amounts to some 15 billion euros. The appointment of a responsible person is all the more urgent as this… conditions the agreement to extend the two reactors of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 for ten years: Hedera’s adherence to the agreements concluded between the Belgian State and Engie is indeed a necessary condition to make this deal a reality, Engie recalled on December 6.
“We understand that Hedera’s inability to adhere to these agreements is because the Belgian state has still not named the president and two other members of the management committee,” Engie wrote. “However, and taking into account the significant progress made regarding the fulfillment of the other preconditions (for example, the recent statement by Minister Van der Straeten regarding the planned approval of the transaction by the European Commission at the beginning of January 2025) , these nominations must take place as quickly as possible.”
Be-Nuc, the other entity which will have to precisely manage this extension in partnership with Engie, also remains without appointments at its head.
Arizona or Vivaldi?
The Arizona government, whose pro-nuclear inclination is more perceptible than for Vivaldi, will have to look into his nominations as quickly as possible. Trainer Bart De Wever has set a deadline at the end of January to land on the government agreement.
“If Arizona, during negotiations, wants to rule on these appointments as a future government, let it go,” has already underlined Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen), outgoing Minister of Energy. But if there is no new government, it is up to Vivaldi to make the decision.”
There too, the clock is ticking.
