Extension Doel 4 and Tihange 3 can be done without shutting down reactors

The news is today in the newspapers L’Echo and De Tijd.

It was expected that the reactors would have to be shut down to get them ready to produce electricity for another ten years. Nuclear watchdog Fanc now states that they can continue to operate during those works. As a result, it would not be necessary to review the planned closure of the older reactors.

Officially, the parties involved neither deny nor confirm the train of thought. Before this plan can lead to a concrete proposal, the government must first see it as a serious option, then ask Engie to list the necessary studies and work for this solution, and finally, the government must submit the file for approval present to the regulator. Naturally, Engie must find the plan feasible.

Groen and Ecolo are already responding positively to the signal from the Fanc. ‘In December we already put this plan forward as a preferred option,’ says Groen co-chairman Jeremie Vaneeckhout. “It is important new information that the Fan,c also considers this scenario possible and safe.”

The green parties therefore expect that the government will now seriously investigate this option. ‘Security of supply and safety are central to us’, says Jean-Marc Nollet of Ecolo. “No concessions can be made on nuclear safety. Every track must be examined for these two elements, it is obvious to us that this is now also the case with this track’, conclude Vaneeckhout and Nollet.