Engie begins chemical decontamination of Tihange 2: “Politicians are missing the point, we are going to have serious problems”

“Several Arizona parties support extending Tihange 2, but not all,” another well-informed political source tells us. As a reminder, Doel 3 and Tihange 2 were shut down for a long time, following the discovery of design defects in their reactor vessel (referred to as microcracks when they were discovered). Finally, the Federal Nuclear Control Agency (AFCN) approved a restart of the two units, for a maximum period of forty years. We therefore do not know whether operation beyond this period would be safe. Doel 3 was finally shut down in October 2022 and Tihange 2 in February 2023, on the occasion of their fortieth anniversary.

Engie confirms and nuances

Contacted, the Engie spokesperson confirmed to us that the chemical decontamination of the Tihange 2 primary circuit began on Monday. “It’s the same process as in Doel 3″specifies Olivier Desclée, spokesperson for Engie. “The question of the reversibility of the process does not arise. Indeed, we plan to dismantle the reactor in accordance with the legal framework. The rotor of the Tihange 2 turbine was also dismantled and transported to Doel 4 in the spring. All this was done in agreement with the Federal Nuclear Control Agency.”

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“The fact that Arizona is at a standstill comes at the right time for Engie, However, estimates our source. No one worries about it when there is an emergency. We will have a shortage of electricity and we will find ourselves faced with a fait accompli. And it will be the same for Doel 1 next February. The clock is ticking. There is a parliamentary occupation on the subject but they are lawyers, not engineers.“According to this source, Engie is acting on the sly, without even sending a letter to remind politicians of the deadline. While we are confirmed that the latter are discussing a possible extension of Tihange 2 at this very moment, but that the work must still end up on the table of party presidents, blocked in federal negotiations. Note also that the latest bill tabled by Les Engagés on October 23 suggests an extension of Tihange 2 until February 2043.

“In 2025, with two reactors, we will be at a third of our previous production. We’re going to have serious problems (electricity supply, Editor’s note),” asserts this source.

Let us point out, however, that the latest study by Elia, the manager of the high-voltage electricity network, reaches the conclusion that security of supply will be guaranteed for the winter of 2025-2026, while five nuclear reactors out of seven will be closed (all at the exception of Doel 4 and Tihange 3). But these Elia calculations count on the availability of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 from November 2025, as well as that of the two new gas power plants. It will therefore be necessary to check if everything is in order at this level.

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Irreversible or not?

If Engie wants to turn the page on nuclear power in Belgium, the pro-nuclear companies are nevertheless trying to slow down this forced march. The nuclear fleet was normally due to be phased out in 2025 but Doel 4 and Tihange 3 were ultimately extended by 10 years by Vivaldi. A “waiver” approved by the House after the energy crisis linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Chemical decontamination began on Monday and will be carried out in several waves, to be completed during the month of December on Tihange 2. On Doel 3, it is finished“, tells us another well-informed source in the sector. But is this decontamination irreversible?

“Depending on how it is made, the chemicals used, their acidity, it may or may not be irremediable. But its goal is to remove the metal oxides which are sources of radiation, because they are contaminated and irradiating. This allows people who will intervene in the dismantling process to take fewer doses of radiation.“, explains this other source.

“Engie wants to disengage, it’s no surprise, but the political discussions are not up to par“, he adds, calling for an arrangement to be made allowing the State and possible industrial partners to recover the power plants and reactors. It remains to be seen who might be interested.

“We must not wait for the formation of a government”

“Engie had announced its position clearly and the fact that the right came to power and was in favor of the extension did not suit its business, even if the company has every right to proceed with the dismantling. But we should leave the opportunity for the tool to be taken over by a buyer without destroying it. So by a requisition. There are legal tools for this,” says another source.

“And we must not wait for the formation of a government because it will be too late. And the longer we wait, the more expensive it will be because Engie will ask for more money to cover its losses. Not to mention the loss of skills and hands -worker who leaves the sector“, concludes this source.

“Big joke” or “pragmatism”? The delicate Belgian position on the extension of certain nuclear power plants