The Brussels-based trade association for the European nuclear energy industry has welcomed Belgium’s agreement with French utility Engie to extend the life of two nuclear power plants, but warned that that prolonging just two reactors for just 10 years – and not 20 – will not be enough to ensure a stable supply of low-carbon electricity at an affordable cost.

Nucleareurope said the decision to keep operating Doel-4 and Tihange-3 will contribute “in a limited way” to ensuring security of supply because it will maintain 2GW of production capacity that would otherwise have been lost.

The industry body noted that according to reports, the agreement sets the framework for the creation of a legal structure jointly owned by both Engie and the Belgian government. “The goal now is to ensure that the two reactors will be reconnected to the grid by November 2026,” nucleareurope said.