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Belgium and French power utility Engie have agreed to extend the life of unit 4 at the Doel NPP and unit 3 at the Tihange NPP by 10 years. This “Heads of Terms and Commencement of LTO Studies Agreement” paves the way for the conclusion of more detailed agreements in the upcoming months. It provides for the immediate start of environmental and technical studies before formal authorisations related to the extension are issued. The two parties in July 2022 had signed a "non-binding letter of intent" concerning the life extension. The two 1.03 GWe reactors have been in service since 1985.
- Source: NEI Magazine
- Date: Friday, 13 January 2023
- Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsbelgium-and-engie-agree-to-extend-operation-of-doel-4-and-tihange-3-10511427
The Doel-4 and Tihange-3 reactors were due to close for good in 2025, but will now restart in November 2026 after necessary work and will continue operating for 10 years.
The two Generation II plants are the newest of Belgium’s six reactors – three at Doel and three at Tihange – and began operation in 1985. Both are 1,038-MW pressurised water reactor units supplied by Framacec, a consortium of Framatome, ACEC and Cockerill.
“The extension of these two nuclear reactors is crucial to guarantee our energy security,” prime minister Alexander De Croo told a news conference. He said the deal would allow the country to take back control of its “energy destiny”.
- Source: Nucnet
- Date: Wednesday, 11 January 2023
- Original article: nucnet.org/news/government-confirms-agreement-to-extend-operation-of-two-reactors-by-10-years-1-2-2023
French utility Engie and the Belgian federal government have signed an agreement with a view to restarting the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear power reactors in 2026 and operating them for a further ten years. Both units are currently scheduled to be shut down in 2025.
- Source: World Nuclear News
- Date: Wednesday, 11 January 2023
- Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Accord-reached-on-extending-operation-of-Belgian-u
Unit 3 of Belgium’s Doel NPP was shut down earlier this year in accordance with the 2003 Belgian law on nuclear phase-out, and work to prepare the reactor for dismantling has now begun and can continue in line with a ruling from the Brussels Court of First Instance.
- Source: NEI Magazine
- Date: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
- Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsbelgian-court-permits-decommissioning-of-doel-npp-unit-3-10376629
Birol told an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discussion on nuclear power: “I don’t give them a passing grade.”
“Countries that were saying goodbye to nuclear power, they are rethinking their plans,” Birol said, adding that the IEA had been engaged in talks with both Belgium and Germany.
“We are very happy that both governments are now in the process of postponing their nuclear phaseout plans, understanding the role that nuclear plays in addressing this energy security challenge,” he said.
In addition, another group of countries is now considering extending the lifetime of their existing nuclear power reactors to respond to this challenge, which is one of the cheapest forms of low carbon power, Birol said. Still another group of countries are rolling out plans to build new reactors, including seemingly “surprising” ones such as the Netherlands and Poland as well as Japan and South Korea.
- Source: Nucnet
- Date: Friday, 11 November 2022
- Original article: nucnet.org/news/nuclear-making-strong-comeback-but-financial-community-has-failed-to-provide-level-playing-field-11-4-2022
The International Atomic Energy Agenry (IAEA) has announced the release of the 2022 edition of Country Nuclear Power Profiles (CNPP), marking more than two decades since the initial launch of the Agency’s comprehensive guide on the status and development of national nuclear power programmes worldwide.
- Source: NEI Magazine
- Date: Saturday, 22 October 2022
- Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsiaea-releases-annual-report-on-country-nuclear-power-profiles-10106867
Several Belgian NGOs are taking the Belgian state and energy company Engie-Electrabel and transmission system operator Elia to court over the closure of unit 3 at the Doel NPP and unit 2 at Tihange NPP, RTBF news has reported.
- Source: NEI Magazine
- Date: Wednesday, 05 October 2022
- Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsngos-take-legal-action-over-closure-of-belgian-npps-10060998
Belgium has shut down its first nuclear reactor as part of a planned nuclear power phase-out, despite last minute attempts by some government officials to delay the closure in the face of increasing energy shortages in Europe due to sanctions on Russian gas and oil.
- Source: NEI Magazine
- Date: Wednesday, 28 September 2022
- Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsbelgium-shuts-down-doel-3-10038427
Unit 3 of the Doel nuclear power plant was disconnected from the grid at 9.31pm on 23 September, in accordance with Belgium's legislation on the gradual phase-out of nuclear energy. Doel 3 is the first of seven Belgian reactors to be taken out of service over the coming years.
- Source: World Nuclear News
- Date: Wednesday, 28 September 2022
- Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/First-Belgian-power-reactor-shut-down
Belgium’s Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) may consider postponing the closure of Doel NPP unit 3, according to Belgian press reports. On 14 September, it was reported that the Doel 3 would be permanently closed for decommissioning on 23 September. However, the issue has been topic of debate within the federal government in view of the growing European energy crisis.
- Source: NEI Magazine
- Date: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
- Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsfuture-of-belgiums-doel-3-still-unclear-10020732