• Power plants

    Power plants

    Belgium has 7 nuclear power plants which together produce half of the country’s electricity consumption, without CO₂ emissions. Electrabel operates these 4 nuclear power plants in Doel and 3 in Tihange to the highest safety standards and in a professional way. Nuclear power is important for Belgium, for supplying electricity 24/7, for helping the country achieve its climate goals, for keeping electricity prices competitive and for providing local employment.

    The Doel nuclear power station

    The Doel nuclear power plant is located in the port of Antwerp, on the left bank of the river Scheldt. The site houses 4 reactors of the PWR type. These reactors with pressurized water are among the safest in the world. The 4 reactors have a total power ouput of 2923 MW. The Doel nuclear power plant accounts for about a quarter of the total electricity production in Belgium.

    The Tihange nuclear power station

    The Tihange nuclear power plant is located in Huy, along the right bank of the Meuse. The site houses 3 pressurized water reactors (PWR). These reactors are among the safest in the world. Together, they have a power output of 3008 MW. The Tihange power station accounts for about a quarter of the total electricity production in Belgium.

  • Nuclear energy

    Nuclear energy

    Belgium has 7 nuclear power plants which produce half of the country’s electricity consumption, without emitting CO₂.

    The nuclear power plants and safety

    Safety is the number one priority in the Belgian nuclear power plants. Find out the many ways in which Electrabel and its partners ensure nuclear safety. The nuclear power plants are also highly secure. You can't just wander in!

    The nuclear power plants and the climate

    That white plume above the cooling tower? That's water vapor. No CO₂ is released during the production of nuclear energy. In this way, nuclear energy contributes to achieving Belgium's climate objectives. Nuclear power production does create radioactive waste, however. Discover how we handle it safely and professionally.

    The nuclear power plants and their economic and social role

    Did you know that our nuclear power plants produce electricity more than 80% of the time? Such a stable source of energy in the electricity mix leads to a competitive market price. Ultimately our nuclear power plants also ensure employment. Find out everything about the economic and societal role of our nuclear power plants.

    How does a nuclear power plant work?

    Are you interested in how a nuclear power plant exactly works? We will take you through the whole process: from nuclear fission to electricity.

    Major nuclear projects in Belgium

    Our goal? Continuously improve the performance of the 7 Belgian nuclear power plants and guarantee safety at all times. To do this, we continuously test, carry out maintenance and repair works and plan all kinds of projects. We are happy to share our plans for the future.

    8 key questions about the nuclear power plants

    Are the nuclear power plants all closing? This is indeed foreseen according to the Royal Decree on the gradual exit from nuclear energy. Whether certain nuclear power plants can remain open after 2025, is ultimately a decision for the government. The planned nuclear exit raises many questions however. We sought an answer from our experts.

    Nuclear community

    Electrabel is the operator of the Belgian nuclear power plants. An important task that we don't carry out on our own. Meet the various players: From the Belgian research centre in Mol to the international regulatory authorities.

  • About us

    About us

    Electrabel is the operator of the Belgian nuclear power plants. The corporation is part of the ENGIE Group, which is active worldwide in the energy and services sector. Together we work on the energy transition. Towards a 100% carbon-free world!

    Organization of our nuclear activities

    The nuclear activities of ENGIE in Belgium are managed by a separate business unit Nuclear, with Thierry Saegeman as Chief Executive Officer. He leads the business unit together with the following Executive Committee.

    ENGIE Group and Electrabel

    The company Electrabel is part of the ENGIE Group, which is working on the transition to a carbon-neutral world in 20 countries worldwide. Meet the members of the Board of Directors.

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Doel 4: refurbishment of the steam turbine

Major nuclear projects in Belgium
On 5 August 2014, the steam turbine of Doel 4 was seriously damaged after a loss of lubrication in the non-nuclear part of the power station. The turbine seized due to the decreasing oil pressure. The power station was shut down automatically – and fully in line with the safety procedures.

Once all technical aspects were examined, the inspectors suspected that this was a deliberate manual action. Electrabel and the FANC lodged a complaint against unknown persons on 8 August 2014. Since this is relating to nuclear safety, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office took over the matter. The investigation is still ongoing in the meantime.

The Doel 4 power station restarted on 19 December 2014. 600 people worked together intensively for the analysis, dismantling, repairs and the refurbishment of the steam turbine; an unseen process, which was completed within the planned deadline.

Since the events Electrabel has taken a number of additional safety measures:

  • The number of cameras on the site of the nuclear power plant has dramatically increased
  • Major installations are locked additionally
  • In certain areas, staff are no longer allowed
  • The access controls have become even stricter
  • All staff were additionally sensitized to the security culture

 

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