24 Feb (NucNet): The International Atomic Energy Agency has praised safety practices and the state of the long-term operation (LTO) project at the Doel-1 and -2 nuclear reactor units in Belgium.
A 10-day review mission into the safety aspects of long term operation, or Salto, ended on 23 February 2017 and said the station’s LTO project has addressed most of the areas recommended by IAEA safety standards, and is addressing remaining topics.
The agency praised the “integrated risk management” for LTO that is in place at the facility, as well as incentive measures to retain staff and comprehensive training to reduce risk from staff turnover.
However, the IAEA also said that the operator should ensure that all required systems, structures and components are included in the scope of aging management during long-term operation and that the facility should review and update the ageing management programmes for civil structures and components.
Belgium’s Electrabel, which is owned by France’s Engie, is the largest shareholder in the Doel station.
Doel-1 and -2 are both 433-MW pressurised water reactors and began commercial operation in February 1975 and December 1975 respectively.
There are seven reactor units in commercial operation in Belgium, four at Doel and three at Tihange. Together, they generate about 55% of the country’s electricity.
In 2003 the government finalised plans to phase out nuclear energy, but Doel-1, Doel-2 and Tihange-1 are being allowed to extend their operation until 2025.
