Emergency plan set up for winter power supply

The government is working on a contingency plan to ensure there will be enough energy to supply all households and companies in Belgium with power this winter. The reserve intended to see us through harsh winter peaks is not sufficient, according to De Standaard.

Electricity companies EDF Luminus and E.on are offering to hold two plants on standby for three winters if necessary, in Seraing and Vilvoorde. The two plants together account for 850mw.

A working group made up of representatives from the government and the energy sector is looking for measures to cap energy consumption at peak times this winter. Some suggested measures include turning off the lights on motorways, reducing lighting on public transport and reducing electricity use in government buildings.

Concrete decisions will be made by September. The measures will only be taken at absolute peak times, for example when it is very cold in Belgium and in neighbouring countries, making it difficult to import power from France or the Netherlands.