Following Tihange 3 in July, the nuclear plant Doel 4 has now also been reconnected to the electricity grid. Operator Engie announced this on Wednesday. Both nuclear reactors are now operating at full capacity, together producing 2 gigawatts.
At the end of 2023, the previous federal government reached an agreement with Engie to extend the lifespans of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 until 2035. Tihange 3 was reconnected to the grid on 10 July, and Doel 4 was reconnected last week.
Extending the lifespan
Two weeks ago, the Tihange 1 nuclear reactor was disconnected from the grid, and Doel 2 will follow at the end of November. After that, only Doel 4 and Tihange 3 will remain operational in Belgium. The current federal government also supports extending the lifespan of Tihange 1, but according to Engie, this would not be “economically feasible”.
Earlier this year, EDF, the operator of France’s nuclear reactors and a major player in the nuclear energy sector, said it was negotiating with Engie and the Belgian government about a potential takeover of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors, aimed at keeping both plants operational longer, specifically until 2045.
The company is already active in Belgium. The French are the principal shareholders in the energy company Luminus and, through its subsidiary EDF Belgium, own 50% of Tihange 1.
