The shutdown of our nuclear power plants
Electrabel is in the process of preparing for the professional shutdown and dismantling of the Belgian nuclear power plants.
Doel 3 stopped on 1 October 2022, followed by Tihange 2 in February 2023 and Doel 1 in February 2025. As soon as production stops, the decommissioning of that plant will start.
Final shutdown of Doel 1
On Friday 14 February 2025 at 21:37h, Electrabel permanently shut down the Doel 1 nuclear reactor and disconnected it from the high-voltage grid after 50 years of electricity production.
Shutdown of Doel 3 and Tihange 2
In accordance with the Belgian nuclear phase-out law, unit 3 of the Doel nuclear power plant has been permanently disconnected from the grid on Friday 23 September 2022 at 21h31, after 40 years of operation. On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, unit 2 of the Tihange nuclear power plant followed. Doel 3 and Tihange 2 are therefore the first Belgian nuclear power plants to stop producing electricity for good.
The shutdown and decommissioning of a nuclear power plant
The life cycle of a nuclear power plant extends from the first spade cutting to when the site is released for the development of other activities. In the case of Belgian nuclear power plants, it spans a total of 60 to 70 years - depending on the unit.
The decommissioning of the Doel and Tihange power plants: a new industrial challenge in complete safety
The decommissioning will be a very large industrial and environmental project in Belgium. As a nuclear operator, it is our responsibility to see this through to a successful conclusion in a safe, humane, and environmentally friendly manner.
New building for temporary storage of spent fuel in Doel and Tihange
At the sites of the nuclear power plants Doel and Tihange Electrabel is constructing a new building where reinforced containers with spent fuel elements can be temporarily stored. This building is named SF² (Spent Fuel Storage Facility) and is essential to be able to start the dismantling following the final shutdown of the power plants.