N-VA has long been in favor of keeping our nuclear power stations open longer. According to the nuclear phase-out law, Doel 3 will close on 1 October. Wollants reports that operator Engie is starting preparations to irreparably damage vital parts of the Doel 3 reactor in October. This would be followed by chemical decontamination, making it impossible to consider the extension at a later date. He fears that it is mainly an action to avoid the discussion about extending that reactor, namely by making it unextendable as soon as possible.
At Engie, it is stated that the law on the nuclear phase-out does indeed contain the mandatory termination on 1 October and that after that stop, decommissioning will be carried out as soon as possible, because you want to reduce the nuclear risk as soon as possible. The regulations are aimed at rapid, safe dismantling, explains spokeswoman Nele Scheerlinck. The aim is to ensure that as little radioactivity as possible is left behind as quickly as possible. This immediate dismantling is also a principle that the FANC, the nuclear watchdog in our country, expects.
Demolition work will not start immediately after Doel 3 has been discontinued. A few days after the shutdown, the nuclear fuel is removed from the reactor and transferred to separate docks to cool under water for a few more years. After the reactor has been discharged, the chemical cleaning of the reactor circuit can begin.