It is not possible to extend the life of the nuclear reactors at Doel 3 and Tihange 2 any further. Engie, the manager of the Belgian nuclear park, repeats this in response to the open letter from the staff of the nuclear power plants to the government.
The federal government previously decided to negotiate with Engie about extending the life of the reactors of Doel 4 and Tihange 3. The staff is asking that the same be done for Doel 3 and Tihange 2. Those reactors suffer from hydrogen flakes in the reactor wall, which has earned them the nickname ‘crack power plants’. Normally they close their doors for good at the end of September and the beginning of February respectively.
“Nobody seems to realize that with the imminent closure of Doel 3 and Tihange 2, we will be liquidating two gigawatts of low-carbon electricity. An incomprehensible scenario in the midst of a war situation and an energy crisis,” it sounds in the open letter. “Each medium-sized nuclear reactor that remains open, annually saves the equivalent gas consumption of 1.2 million Flemish families. Every kilowatt hour generated locally does not have to come from Russia. Every kilowatt hour that is generated in a low-carbon way does not harm the climate.” According to the letter writers, “exceptional times call for exceptional measures”.
The government and Engie reached an agreement in principle on the extension of the nuclear power plants, but what does that mean?
“Understanding emotions”
Operator Engie understands “the emotions associated with the closure of the nuclear power plants,” says a spokeswoman. But Doel 3 and Tihange 2 will close as planned, she emphasizes. “The closing dates are determined by law and the licenses to operate the power plants end on those dates. That has been established for a long time and we have been preparing for that for a long time.”
The government did ask Engie in July to see whether both reactors could possibly continue for a few more months to bridge the difficult winter, but according to the French energy group, that is unfeasible both technically and in terms of safety. “The talks with the government are only about Tihange 3 and Doel 4.”
Engie is doing everything it can to maintain security of supply in the coming months, it still sounds. This ensures that the reactors are down for maintenance as little as possible this winter.
N-VA: “Every megawatt counts”
In the meantime, N-VA MP Bert Wollants continues to ask for an extension of the lifespan of Doel 3 and Tihange 2. “At a time when every megawatt of power production counts and with prices that are becoming more extreme every day, it is only logical that the route to keep as many nuclear power stations open as possible is being explored. The government itself indicates that these problems could last for a decade, so now is the time to act on them.” Within the majority, MR chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez also believes that more nuclear power plants should remain open.
Safety authority FANC has not yet received a request from Engie to make a risk analysis. The nuclear watchdog cannot therefore make any statements about a possible extension of Doel 3 or Tihange 2.
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