The nuclear power station, Doel 3, has been stopped since Sunday, barely a few days after restarting last Monday (July 23rd). Nele Scheerlinck, its spokeswoman, explained on Wednesday, “The issue is a technical problem in the non-nuclear section which had not been updated at the point when the unit was again 100% operating this time.”
The reactor operated by Engie Electrabel had been reconnected to the electricity network last Monday, after 10 months of consecutive standstills owing to concrete degradation. Nele Scheerlinck guarantees that this time the defect has nothing to do with the nuclear section of the power station.
A few days after restarting, a problem was discovered within the nuclear power station turbines. A repair was necessary to a valve joint. The spokeswoman believes, “Some concerns are only obvious when the power station operates at full power...and that takes time.”
She said that this defect has no impact on nuclear safety. That having been said, it can prove dangerous for the staff as hot steam does not pass correctly through the power station machinery. It is therefore necessary to resolve the situation.
Given the nature of the problem, the power station is anticipated to restart on Friday at 12 noon.
The Brussels Times
