Belgium extends the period of operation of 2 nuclear reactors

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo made a statement to the press after the Council of Ministers meeting.

Noting that an agreement was reached with the Engie company to extend the period of operation of the “Tihange 3” and “Doel 4” reactors in the country for another 10 years, De Croo said: “The extension of the operation of these two nuclear reactors is very important for our energy security. he used the phrase.

According to the agreement, the two reactors will be managed with a structure that will be a company of the Belgian state and Engie.

A framework will be established to cover the cost of nuclear waste.

After this stage, the technical and financial studies of the process of obtaining environmental permits will be carried out.

THERE ARE 7 REACTORS IN BELGIUM

In Belgium, there are a total of 7 reactors, 4 at the Doel nuclear power plant near the Dutch border and 3 at the Tihange nuclear power plant near the German-Luxembourg border.

The electricity produced by these reactors normally meets about half of the country’s needs.

In accordance with the denuclearization law drawn up by previous governments in Belgium, the Doel 3 reactor, which has been operating in the country for 40 years, was shut down in September and the number of active reactors was reduced to 6.

Under the latest deal, the operating periods of the country’s Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors, which were built in 1985, will be extended for another 10 years.

Before the Russo-Ukrainian war, the Belgian government had prepared a plan to stop operating nuclear power plants by 2025. However, due to the war and the energy crisis in Europe, Belgium resorted to extending the period by 10 years. of operation of the nuclear power plants that it planned to close. (AA)