Key questions about the nuclear power plants
This page provides you with answers to the most frequently asked questions about the current situation surrounding our nuclear power plants.
What was agreed between ENGIE and the Belgian government on the 10-year operating extension of Doel 4 and Tihange 3?
On 13 December 2023, ENGIE and the Belgian government signed the final agreement on the extension of the operation of the Tihange 3 and Doel 4 nuclear power plants and the transfer of all nuclear waste obligations.
How are Doel 4 and Tihange 3 being prepared for the extension?
Extension projects consist of 2 parts: an engineering phase and an implementation phase. The nuclear safety authorities keep a close eye on everything.
How will the extension of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 impact employment?
Generating nuclear power is a labour-intensive process requiring highly specialized and highly trained staff. The Doel and Tihange nuclear power plants mostly employ Electrabel staff, but a large number of outside contractors/service providers is typically brought in if investments are carried or maintenance work is performed.
Is it not possible to only run nuclear power plants when there is not enough renewable energy available?
Starting up a nuclear power plant is a complex process that takes several days. So stopping a nuclear plant during the day because there is too much renewable energy and then restarting it in the evening when energy is needed is not realistic.
How safe is nuclear power in Belgium?
Belgium's nuclear power plants are safe. Electrabel has been operating them responsibly for more than 40 years, benefiting both people and the environment.
What is nuclear dismantling?
Nuclear dismantling means that the area in which the nuclear power stations are located is released after the phase of electricity production and can be used for a different industrial purpose.
Radioactive Waste
Radioactive waste is the collective name for all material containing radioactive elements for which no practical applications are known. It originates from e.g. the medical sector, the industry or electricity production.