The decommissioning consists of the safe removal of all radioactive materials in the facility and to prepare the site for new uses. This project is a challenging, innovative undertaking which will be executed under strict safety procedures.

Our mission is to tackle this challenge professionally, as we have always done in the past, with the ambition of becoming a strong benchmark in decommissioning.

Decommissioning

After construction and operation, decommissioning is the final part of the life cycle of our nuclear power plants. This phase includes all administrative and technical measures taken from the time the decision is made to permanently shut down the units, until the site is cleared for new industrial activities.

The Post Operational Phase (POP) is covered by the operating license. Next, FANC has to issue a dismantling license to cover the dismantling. Demolition and soil remediation will begin once the plants are no longer under nuclear control.

Post operational phase (POP)

The purpose of the post operational phase is to prepare the plant for dismantling

The Post Operational Phase (POP) of the nuclear facility will begin as soon as the reactor is permanently shut down. The goal of this phase is to remove all nuclear fuel, hazardous materials, and liquids from the plants. The waste generated during the POP is processed at the nuclear sites. Spent fuel elements are gradually removed to the temporary storage buildings (DE-SF² in Tihange and SCG-SF² in Doel).

The POP activities are covered by the existing operating license and the permits (safety report and technical specifications) will evolve in line with the condition of the installations. The planning for the Post Operational Phase is divided into four activities that extend over several years. At the end of the POP, dismantling can start, after the FANC has issued the proper license.

Also during the post operational phase nuclear safety is our top priority

Several circuits, systems, and equipment guarantee a safe operation of the plant. These systems take care of i.e. cooling the fuel elements, containment of radioactive materials, and protection from ionising radiation. This is called the nuclear island.

During the various stages of the Post Operational Phase, the nuclear risks reduce, e.g. as soon as the nuclear fision stops, or while the fuel elements cool down in the fuel pools. As such we can gradually take circuits and systems out of service. Deciding which systems are no longer needed without impacting nuclear safety, and under the supervision from FANC is one of the main tasks during the preparation of the Post Operational Phase.

Dismantling

Dismantling consists of seven phases, including the dismantling of all nuclear and non-nuclear equipment

This phase mainly includes the removal of large pieces of equipment such as the reactor vessel, steam generators and the concrete shield around the vessel.

All decommissioning activities are subject to safety regulations issued by FANC. Dismantling will generate waste that must be disposed of immediately or treated on-site before being sent to Belgoprocess.

Waste

Decommissioning a nuclear power plant leads to waste. 98% is conventional waste (concrete and metals), which will be recycled and recovered as much as possible. The remaining radioactive waste will be sorted, treated, and packaged before being transported for temporary storage. Depending on the type of waste, this will be on site or at Belgoprocess.

Funding

Since 1975, financial provisions have been accrued to cover the cost of dismantling. The provisions are managed by Synatom, under the supervision of the Nuclear Facilities Commission, which relies on the opinions issued by ONDRAF/NIRAS.

A review of those nuclear provisions for decommissioning nuclear power plants is done periodically, taking into account current economic data, technological progress and regulatory changes.

On 13 December 2023, ENGIE and the Belgian government signed an agreement defining the terms of the extension of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear units. This agreement aims to ensure a balanced distribution of risks between the two parties and to eliminate uncertainties concerning future changes in provisions related to the treatment of all nuclear waste. As such, there is an agreement to fix a lump sum for the future costs associated with nuclear waste management, based on a new scenario determined by ONDRAF/NIRAS, with regard to all ENGIE nuclear facilities in Belgium, for a total amount of 15 billion euros. 

Economic opportunities of dismantling

The dismantling of the nuclear power plants also provides certain economic opportunities for Belgian and international companies. In the first 10 to 15 years after the shutdown of a plant, the focus will be on specific nuclear activities: removing radioactive components, processing radioactive material and decontaminating structures. These activities will be performed by the existing nuclear power plant teams, supplemented by specialised nuclear companies. In the meantime, new systems will also have to be built for material management. This is followed by conventional demolition, which will focus as much as possible on recovery, upcycling and recycling of materials. 

The scope of a tender for the large dismantling projects often exceeds the capabilities of an individual company. International experience in the dismantling of other plants also shows that projects are usually assigned to a consortium of companies that work together to present a high-quality and competitive proposal. We therefore strongly advise companies to already look at potential synergies with a view to the upcoming opportunities.

For assigning contracts, we comply with the ENGIE group’s tendering policy. 

Does your company have specific questions about these opportunities? Would you like to present your dismantling experience and capabilities to us? Or would you like to be invited to future communication sessions for companies? Please contact us via our contact form.