Plant Operation

Doel-1 Taken Offline As Negotiations Continue

By David Dalton
16 February 2015

16 Feb (NucNet): Electrabel's Doel-1 was shut down at 22:42 yesterday, 15 February 2015, to comply with a law requiring it be closed after 40 years of operation, the Belgian company said. However, the Belgian government and Electrabel, with its owner GDF Suez, are continuing discussions on possible lifetime extensions for Doel-1 and Doel-2, meaning the 433-megawatt pressurised water reactor could yet be restarted. In a statement released before the shutdown Electrabel said it was taking part in the discussions while “recalling the need to define a clear legal and economic framework to consider investing 600 to 700 million euros [about $684-798 million] needed for the extension of Doel-1’s operating life”. Doel-1 is the first Belgian nuclear plant to complete 40 years of operation, the statement said. Belgium’s coalition government has agreed to extend the lifespan of Doel-1 and Doel-2 by 10 years until 2025, providing terms can be agreed with GDF Suez.

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