Are the Belgian nuclear power plants doing better in terms of availability than in other countries?
In the 2020-2023 period, Belgium's nuclear power plants produced electricity on average 88% of the time. This is significantly higher than the international average for all reactors of 81% (2020-2022).
From 2012 onwards, the availability of our power stations dropped on the one hand, due to preventive shutdown in order to guarantee nuclear safety (hydrogen flakes, the restoration of concrete degradation in a few areas), and on the other hand, for the works with a view to the operating extension of Doel 1, Doel 2 and Tihange 1. These investments and works took place in many phases, and ensured that the power stations were further reinforced.
For example, in 2021 our nuclear power stations produced electricity 92% of the time. In 2022, Doel 3 clocked its last fuel cycle at 100% availability! Tihange 2 was shut down on 31 January.
Since 2000 the Belgian nuclear power stations have produced electricity on average 80 % of the time.