The Belgian government is considering keeping its three oldest nuclear power units running two more years than currently planned, Belgium’s energy ministry said, according to press reports.

The government was quoted as saying it will ask operator Engie whether it would be possible to keep the Doel-1, Doel-2 and Tihange-1 plants running until 2027 instead of closing them down in 2025 as planned.

All three units began commercial operation in 1975. Doel-1 and Doel-2 are 445-MW pressurised water reactor (PWR) units and Tihange-1 is a 962-MW PWR.

“The war in Ukraine and the problems in the French nuclear energy sector have made us look at ways to create more certainty and reduce risks in the energy supply,” energy ministry spokesman Jonas Dutordoir said.