NUCLEAR POWER

[BIZ/INFRA: Brussels, November 16]
A number of major energy consumers are considering a new Belgian nuclear power plant. According to Thomas Leysen, the CEO of Umicore and Chairman of the industrial organization Agoria, the power plant would provide energy at stable and competitive prices.

The group comprises Air Liquide Industries Belgium, Arcelor Mittal, BASF Antwerp, Duferco, Solvay, Tessenderlo Chemicals and Umicore. They have set up Blue Sky with the power producers to negotiate on market guarantees. Leysen emphasizes that the companies involved are extremely unhappy about the results of the liberalization of the market for electricity. Belgian prices for major users have, he says, risen by more than 40% faster than has been the case in other countries. In order to obtain sufficient capacity for reasonable prices, Leysen thinks that a new nuclear plant is necessary. Similar projects are also ongoing in Finland and France.

(Source: De Tijd)
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