Nuclear watchdog wants clarity on future of Belgium's reactors
The Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) wants clarity from government negotiators on their plans for nuclear power. The next government should decide "as soon as possible", FANC director-general Pascale Absil said on Thursday.
N-VA, Les Engagés, MR, CD&V and Vooruit, the five parties that will most likely form the next federal government, have made a clear commitment to nuclear power, without elaborating further. The most likely scenario is to extend the life of existing nuclear reactors: Doel 4 and Tihange 3, which started in 1985, or Tihange 1 and Doel 1 and 2, which started in 1975.
FANC has no preference for any particular scenario. "An extension of younger plants makes more sense from a safety point of view," says Absil, referring to Doel 4 and Tihange 3. Although they are scheduled to be decommissioned in 2035, another extension would probably not cause any additional problems.
"An extension of younger plants makes more sense from a safety point of view"
Extending the life of Tihange 1, Doel 1 and Doel 2, which are due to be shut down next year, is also possible, according to FANC. However, a quick restart is out of the question as a new 10-year safety review has not yet been initiated for these reactors.
Such a review should be carried out every 10 years to see if a reactor still meets the latest international safety standards, but it can take several years to prepare. Either way, "the government should decide as soon as possible", Absil said on Thursday, so that the process can begin.
"The government should decide as soon as possible"
Decomissioned reactors
Even Doel 3 and Tihange 2, the reactors already shut down, could be restarted. "It would take a lot of time and money. But with resources you can do a lot," says Absil. The process of decommissioning these reactors has already begun, and the turbines have been removed.
Engie, which owns the nuclear plants, has warned against extending the lives of Doel 4 and Tihange 3. The energy company has also said it does not want to continue with nuclear power. For FANC, a new operator would not be a problem.
"What matters to us are the machines and whether the staff are qualified. The investor is less important," says Absil.
© PHOTO KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP
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