Belgium builds furnace to remelt steel from decommissioned nuclear plants

The nuclear research centre SCK-CEN in Mol, Antwerp province, will receive government support to develop a furnace to melt down steel from decommissioned nuclear power plants, Energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten and Economy minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne announced in the federal parliament on Tuesday.

For some time , the federal government has been preparing the country for decommissioning at least five of its seven nuclear reactors - "the most expensive and delicate worksite ever", according to Van der Straeten. Dismantling the reactors involves three types of metals. Non-radioactive metals will simply be recycled. Contaminated materials are sent to the National Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials.

The third type of metal from decommissioned reactors is partially radioactive. This can also be recycled but requires a special furnace. The government is now releasing financial support to develop such a furnace, Van der Straeten (Groen) and deputy prime minister Dermagne (PS) announced on Tuesday.

"Building up expertise"

According to Dermagne, the infrastructure will "lead to economic development and sustainable local employment in the decommissioning sector". "The investment allows SCK-CEN, with our universities and companies, to build up expertise which can be exported to other countries," Van der Straeten says.

In 2003, the federal government decided to close all nuclear power plants in Belgium by 2025. However, this nuclear exit was delayed. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis in 2022, the government decided to extend the nuclear phase-out. It was later announced that the closure of reactors Doel 4 and Tihange 3 would be postponed for 10 years.

Negotiations

Engie, the parent company of Engie Electrabel and operator of Belgium's nuclear power plants, aims to reach a final agreement with the Belgian government about the nuclear extension by 30 June, the company said in May. The government and Engie have been negotiating for several months on how to achieve and finance the agreed extension.

Earlier this year, on 31 January, reactor 2 of the Tihange nuclear power plant in the province of Liège was permanently shut down.

(BRV)

^{Nuclear power plant of Tihange near Huy in the province of Liège, Belgium © PHOTO JOHN THYS / AFP}

Related news

Engie wants agreement on life extension of nuclear reactors by 30 June

Engie aims to reach a final agreement with the Belgian government on extending the lifetime of nuclear reactors Doel 4 and Tihange 3 by 30 June, the company said on Thursday.

www.belganewsagency.eu

Belgian nuclear reactor Tihange 2 to be permanently shut down

Nuclear reactor Tihange 2 in Belgium will be permanently disconnected from the grid on Tuesday after 40 years of service. The closure of the plant in the Liège town of Huy is part of Belgium's nuclear exit strategy.

www.belganewsagency.eu

Belgian government reaches agreement with Engie to extend life of nuclear reactors

On Monday, the Belgian federal government reached an agreement with operator Engie about the life extension of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors. "This means that work can start tomorrow to extend the lifespan of the two youngest reactors. We will also return part of the control to our country," prime minister Alexander De Croo said at a press conference.

www.belganewsagency.eu

Belgium’s two youngest nuclear reactors will stay open 10 years longer

Belgium’s two youngest nuclear reactors, Doel 4 in Flanders and Tihange 3 in Wallonia, will remain open ten years longer than planned. Top government officials decided this on Friday evening after an entire day of negotiations on the much-debated ‘nuclear exit’, the planned closure of Belgium’s nuclear power plants.

www.belganewsagency.eu