The restart of the Doel 4 nuclear reactor, initially scheduled for this Friday, has been postponed to Monday, according to its operator, Engie.
During maintenance this autumn, damage was found on the outer concrete framework of the reactor, preventing its restart a few weeks ago.
After analysis by the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC), the damage was classified at Level 0 on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES), indicating no nuclear safety risk.
Further investigations were completed last week. Based on their findings, the regulator decided that Doel 4 could resume electricity production. Engie had scheduled the restart for today, but it will now occur on Monday.
The delay was due to a short-circuit that occurred during some tests on a part of the alternator (a non-nuclear part of the plant), a spokesperson for Engie told The Brussels Times.
Last year, the Federal Government decided to extend the operation of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors. Initially set to close in 2025, these reactors will now continue to supply electricity until 2035.
