By Cristina Roca and Alberto Delclaux 
 

Grid operator Elia System Operator SA (ELI.BT) said Tuesday that Belgium needs 700-900 megawatts of additional capacity to maintain security of supply through the winter months.

The operator had previously warned the shortfall could reach 1,600-1,700 megawatts.

The shortage is due to the unexpected unavailability of several nuclear power stations operated by Engie SA (ENGI.FR), meaning a capacity-shortfall of 3,000 megawatts until mid-December, equivalent to 25% of the total installed manageable generation capacity in Belgium.

Elia said that despite additional capacity measures announced by the Belgian government of 750 megawatts and the earlier-than-expected completion of maintenance work at nuclear unit Tihange 1, the legal criteria for security of supply haven't yet been met.

However, the company also said Belgium can expect shorter periods of supply difficulties and a lower risk of load-shedding than it expected a week ago.

"Elia urges the government and the market parties to continue seeking ways of providing additional capacity," Elia said in a statement, noting that the situation in January and February will be difficult as import options become more limited.

 

Write to Cristina Roca at cristina.roca@dowjones.com and Alberto Delclaux at alberto.delclaux@dowjones.com

 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 02, 2018 09:22 ET (13:22 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2018 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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