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Belgian regulator says reactors could operate beyond 2025

Belgian regulator says reactors could operate beyond 2025

Belgium's Doel 4 and Tihange 3 could continue operating beyond 2025 provided certain safety upgrades are carried out, Belgium's Federal Agency for Nuclear Control has said. However, it said the government must make a prompt decision on their long-term operation and develop a global approach with all the actors involved.

Regulation & Safety 18 January 2022

Belgian government confirms closure plans, looks to SMRs

Belgian government confirms closure plans, looks to SMRs

Belgium's coalition government today said it has agreed to close its existing nuclear power plants by 2025, although it has left open the possibility to keep two units in operation beyond that if energy supplies cannot otherwise be assured. It will also continue to invest in nuclear technology research, including small modular reactors.

Nuclear Policies 23 December 2021

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New Belgian transport vehicle for solid wastes

New Belgian transport vehicle for solid wastes

A unique transport vehicle with integrated packaging for solid medium and high-level waste has been developed by Equans Specialized Nuclear Services on behalf of Ondraf/Niras, the Belgian agency for the management of radioactive waste. The vehicle has undergone testing and is expected to be put into service by the end of this year.

Waste & Recycling 06 October 2021

European and US nuclear companies contribute to space work

European and US nuclear companies contribute to space work

The European Space Agency has awarded a contract to Belgian company Tractebel to evaluate the possibility of producing plutonium-238 for use in space exploration. Separately, US company X-energy, working as part of a General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems team, is to develop key fuel fabrication processes in support of a first-of-a-kind rocket powered by nuclear thermal propulsion under a contract awarded by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

New Nuclear 01 September 2021

Belgian nuclear phase out an 'irreversible loss', PM told

Belgian nuclear phase out an 'irreversible loss', PM told

An open letter to the prime minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, has called for the country's anti-nuclear policies to be re-evaluated and for Belgium's nuclear facilities and skills to be positively applied in an effort to avert climate change. Writing in the major newspaper La Libre, a group of young engineers called Horizon 238 appealed to De Croo: "Our country is about to make a decision that will irreversibly shape its energy landscape for decades to come, and which will undoubtedly become one of the most significant chapters of your government's legacy."

Nuclear Policies 23 August 2021

Belgium develops drones for radiation monitoring

Belgium develops drones for radiation monitoring

Technology that enables drones to be used to carry out radiological measurements has been developed by Belgium's Nuclear Research Centre and the Belgian aeronautical firm Sabca. The measuring equipment was officially attached to a drone yesterday, in the presence of the country's Minister of the Interior, Annelies Verlinden.

Regulation & Safety 19 May 2021

New Belgian and Dutch waste storage facilities planned

New Belgian and Dutch waste storage facilities planned

Construction of a new facility for the storage of low-level radioactive waste has begun at the Dessel site in Belgium. Meanwhile, a new storage facility for low and intermediate-level waste is planned at the Netherlands' centralised radioactive waste processing and storage facility.

Waste & Recycling 05 March 2021

No increase in Tihange 2 hydrogen flakes

No increase in Tihange 2 hydrogen flakes

Belgium's Federal Agency for Nuclear Control has approved the restart of Tihange unit 2 following a maintenance outage after concluding no new hydrogen flakes have appeared and the existing flakes had not increased in size. Operator Electrabel is required to regularly check that the situation has not changed since the flakes were first discovered in 2012.

Regulation & Safety 06 January 2021

Tractebel outlines its vision for SMRs

Tractebel outlines its vision for SMRs

Belgian engineering firm Tractebel today unveiled its vision for small modular reactors, in which it notes that Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Poland, the UK and the USA, among other countries, have "expressed a clear willingness to shape the future". Its White Paper, The rise of nuclear technology 2.0, is the result of three years of "deep-diving the promises" of this advanced nuclear technology, and investing thousands of engineering hours in technical due diligence and market studies.

Corporate 11 December 2020

Electrabel calls for clarity on Belgian phase-out

Electrabel calls for clarity on Belgian phase-out

Electrabel - the Belgian subsidiary of French utility Engie - says it will not make any further investments at Doel unit 4 and Tihange unit 3 unless it is clearer whether the reactors will or will not be allowed to operate beyond 2025. A report due out at the end of next year may lead to the reactors being allowed to continue operating to ensure Belgium's energy security.

Nuclear Policies 20 November 2020