French power company Engie has extended the repair and maintenance outage at unit 4 of the Doel NPP in Belgium after discovering damage to the concrete dome. Inspections found damage in the reinforced concrete of the outer containment building, and further checks are needed.
A spokesman for Engie was unable to comment on the duration of the halt or the potential financial implications. According to Nord Pool, Doel 4 was originally intended to be closed from 29 August to 30 November. This has now been extended until 2 December.
Engie has already permanently shut down two out of Belgium’s seven ageing reactors at the Doel and Tihange NPPs. In 2020 Belgium decided to phase out nuclear power. However, in 2021, the authorities put forward two scenarios: plan A, to phase out nuclear power by 2025; and plan B to extend the life of two units for 10 years in the event of supply problems. Plan A was initially favoured but following the conflict in Ukraine and resulting energy shortages plan B was adopted in March 2022 with a decision to extend the lives of Tihange 3 and Doel 4 until 2035.
Researched and written by Judith Perera
