Belgium To Phase Out Nuclear Power

BRUSSELS -- Belgium is set to close its nuclear power plants over the next 25 years following a vote by the Chamber of Representatives.

Under the new plan, the country's oldest atomic plants will be closed within 15 years and the rest will be shut down within 25 years, unless they were needed in the future for economic reasons, according to a report by the Belgian Television.

This shutdown plan is a result of widespread fears of nuclear accidents, the risk of radioactive material falling into the hands of terrorists, and the problem of nuclear waste which is difficult to dispose of and remains radioactive for thousands of years, the report said.

Electricity producer, Electrabel, said it was against the closure scheme, claiming the reasons put forward by the government were not strong enough to merit an end to Belgium's nuclear program.

The company said that gas power stations were more polluting than nuclear plants, and that there was simply not enough space in Belgium for renewable energy in the form of wind turbines.

There are altogether seven nuclear plants in Belgium and the bill is expected to be approved by the Senate in the next few weeks.

Source: Xinhua News Agency