Second step in Belgian nuclear exit concluded

Tuesday evening, the nuclear reactor of Tihange 2, in the south of Belgium, was put out of service. This was done safely and successfully, the nuclear watchdog AFCN says. This agency will supervise the demolition of the reactor in the coming years.

Tihange 2 is the second reactor that closes according to the Belgian nuclear exit trajectory. Doel 3, in the north of Belgium, closed earlier. All but two reactors have to close by 2025, after a lifespan of 40 years.

The nuclear exit is a controversial issue. It was decided 20 years ago, but the energy crisis after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, gave new impetus to the advocates of nuclear energy. To avoid a black-out, the Belgian government decided to keep the two youngest reactors open.

This doesn’t end the controversy. Several people protested against the closure on the Tihange-site.

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^{Interviews with Emeric Massaut from Standup4nuclear and Antoine Assice, the manager of the different Tihange plants. ©BELGA VIDEO HANDOUT}