Belgium’s Doel 1 nuclear reactor was permanently shut down on Friday at 11.37 p.m. according to its operator, Engie.
This makes it the third Belgian reactor to be decommissioned, following Doel 3 in 2022 and Tihange 2 in 2023.
Doel 2 is scheduled for shutdown on 30 November.
The reactor operated longer than initially planned, as Belgian law originally mandated a shutdown after 40 years of operation. In 2015, the government of then Prime Minister Charles Michel extended its life by an additional 10 years.
The decommissioning process will now begin, lasting approximately five years to cool the spent fuel. This will be followed by a 10-year dismantling and demolition phase.
The site will eventually be prepared for new industrial activities, but spent fuel will remain in temporary storage facilities onsite.
Restrictions will be in place for the redevelopment of the area.
