Belgium’s nuclear operator Electrabel, owned by France’s Engie, had completed more than 85% of its post-Fukushima upgrades for the Doel and Tihange nuclear plants by the end of 2016, according to a progress report by the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (Fanc).
Strategies for dealing with complete site blackout and loss of ultimate heat sink were “well defined at both sites”, Fanc said. Related work has been completed at Doel with the provision of additional pumps and mobile diesel generators. At Tihange, “most of the actions” have been completed. Fanc said Electrabel has also made progress in accident preparedness.
Targets for the end of 2017 include the construction of filtered ventilation systems on the reactor buildings at Doel 3, Doel 4 and all three Tihange units. Fanc said this work would be completed at Doel 1 and Doel 2 by the end of 2019. A new emergency response facility is also under construction at Tihange.
Photo: Doel nuclear power station
