Belgium

Nuclear power situation

	Number of nuclear units connected to the grid	Nuclear electricity generation (net TWh)	Nuclear percentage of total electricity supply
Belgium	7	44.3	54.4
OECD Europe	150	929.3	27.3
OECD TOTAL	346 (out of 437 worldwide)	2278.1	23.1

Source: Nuclear Energy Data 2007. The complete table for all OECD member countries is also available.

Nuclear power plants: Status and operations

Belgium has seven operating nuclear power plants; see Table 1 for details about their status. During 2003, the seven Belgian nuclear power stations supplied the high voltage network with 44.6 TWh or 55.5% of total net electricity generated (78.1 TWh). In the record year of 1999, these figures were respectively 46.7 TWh and 57.8%. The average load factor of Belgian nuclear power plants reached 89.8% in 2002 against 93.3% for the record year of 1999. These results confirm the reliability of Belgian nuclear power stations, which are amongst the best-performed in the world.

The steam generators of the Tihange 2 plant were replaced in 2001 during a planned maintenance and refuelling outage. These operations are part of a replacement programme of the steam generators that started in 1993 with Doel 3 and have continued since. The Japanese company Mitsubishi manufactured the new steam generators for Tihange 2. In 2002 the decision was taken to replace the steam generators of Doel 2, this was sucessfully undertaken in 2004.

Table 1. Status of nuclear power plants

Station	Type	Capacity	Operator	Status	Reactor Supplier
BR-3	PWR	11	CEN/SCK	Decommissioned	WESTINGHOUSE
DOEL-1	PWR	392.5	ELECTRABEL	Operational	ACECOWEN a
DOEL-2	PWR	392.5	ELECTRABEL	Operational	ACECOWEN
DOEL-3	PWR	1,006	ELECTRABEL	Operational	FRAMACECO b
DOEL-4	PWR	985	ELECTRABEL	Operational	ACECOWEN
TIHANGE-1	PWR	962	ELECTRABEL	Operational	ACECOWEN
TIHANGE-2	PWR	1,008	ELECTRABEL	Operational	FRAMACECO
TIHANGE-3	PWR	1,015	ELECTRABEL	Operational	ACECOWEN

a ACECOWEN: ACEC-COCKERILL-WESTINGHOUSE; b FRAMACEC: Framatome-ACEC-COCKERILL

Station	Construction Date	Criticality Date	Grid Date	Commercial Date	Shutdown Date
BR-3	01-Nov-57	29-Aug-62	10-Oct-62	10-Oct-62	30-Jun 87
DOEL-1	01-Jul-69	18-Jul-74	28-Aug-74	15-Feb-75	..
DOEL-2	01-Sep-71	04-Aug-75	21-Aug-75	01-Dec-75	..
DOEL-3	01-Jan-75	14-Jun-82	23-Jun-82	11-Oct-82	.
DOEL-4	01-Dec-78	31-Mar-85	08-Apr-85	01-Jul-85	.
TIHANGE-1	01-Jun-70	21-Feb-75	07-Mar-75	01-Oct-75	.
TIHANGE-2	01-Apr-76	05-Oct-82	13-Oct-82	06-Jun-83	.
TIHANGE-3	01-Nov-78	05-Jun-85	15-Jun-85	01-Sep-85	.

Source: IAEA Power Reactor Information System, as of 31 December 2002.

Although the Belgian government decision of December 1988 brought a moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power plants, Electrabel is allowed to upgrade the capacity of its NPPs. These upgrades have increased the total Belgian nuclear generation capacity by 319 MW(e) (or 5.8%) between 1994 and 2002. 48 MWe is due to the steam generator replacement at Tihange 2 in 2001. Moreover, Belgian utilities have a 25% share in the output of the two 1 400 MW(e) French pressurised water reactor units at Chooz. The new Belgian law, imposing a forty year lifetime for nuclear power plants, will lead to a decrease in nuclear electricity generation while the share of fossil-fuelled power plants, especially through the commissioning of new combined-cycle gas turbine units, is expected to increase.

Current organisational chart

Figure 1 shows the nuclear energy sector organisation and its shareholders among the main companies, research centres and the Belgian state.

Figure 1. Belgian Nuclear Sector Organisation (End 2000)

Electrabel is the operator of all of Belgium's nuclear power plants. Its majority shareholder is Suez-Tractebel (owner of 41.4% of shares at the end of 2000).

Suez-Tractebel, the energy arm of Suez, is a Belgian industrial group with International scope that provides: public utility services; community services; engineering and industrial construction and services. It is organised into five operating units including the Electricity and Gas Europe (EGE) unit (Electrabel and Distrigas), the Electricity and Gas International (EGI) unit and the Engineering unit (Tractebel Engineering)

The main organisations in the Belgian nuclear sector are listed in Table 2 (status at 31 December 2002).

Table 2. Main nuclear organisations

Company	Turnover (million BEF)	Number of people	Status	Activity
Electrabel	14,853	13,200	private	owner/operator
SPE	528	315	public utility	owner/operator
Tractebel Engineering*	571	3,500	private	architect-engineer/contractor
BELGONUCLÉAIRE	74	330	50 % public/50 % private	fuel manufacturer/ architect-engineer
Belgatom	12	-	90% private/10% public	Architect-engineer and consulting engineer
Synatom	264	17	private (with public golden share)	nuclear fuel supplier
FBFC	25	250	private	fuel manufacturer
ONDRAF/NIRAS	100	62	public	radioactive waste management
Belgoprocess	32	240	public	radioactive waste facilities
SCK.CEN	77	600	public	R & D
Laborelec	38	250	co-operative	R & D
ASSOCIATION VINCOTTE NUCLEAR	63	57	non profit	licensing/ inspection

*Division of Suez-Tractebel Group, which has a total consolidated turnover of €29,548 million and employs 100,000 people worldwide.

In 2002, Electrabel generated about 89% of Belgian electricity, the balance being produced by the public utility company Société coopérative de Production d'Electricité (SPE) and small self-producers. Electrabel provided, either directly or through local inter-municipal organisations, about 89% of the electricity supply to end-users. Electrabel operates the Tihange and Doel nuclear power plants.

Belgian NPPs require over 350 000 man-hours of nuclear engineering services per year. Nuclear engineering services are provided by the engineering division of Suez-Tractebel (Tractebel Engineering) for the Belgian NPPs and by the engineering division of Belgonucleaire for the fabrication of uranium-plutonium mixed-oxide fuel (MOX fuel). The nuclear technical know-how of both Suez-Tractebel and Belgonucleaire is commercialised for customers in Belgium and abroad by Belgatom, a joint subsidiary.

Fuel fabrication plants are at Mol-Dessel. The MOX fuel factory is owned and operated by Belgonucleaire (35 tHM/yr), the uranium fuel factory by FBFC International (400 tU/yr). Belgonucleaire is currently the only MOX producer that manufactures MOX fuel for BWRs. In the period 1996-1998, FBFC commissioned new workshops to assemble MOX fuel elements and gadolinium containing fuel elements. In 1996 it began to manufacture BWR MOX fuel assemblies for the Japanese market.

Synatom, a joint subsidiary of Electrabel and Suez-Tractebel, is responsible for the enriched uranium procurement and spent fuel management for all Belgian nuclear power plants and is entrusted by law with the management of Belgian nuclear power plant decommissioning and management of spent fuel.

The Belgian Agency for Management of Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials (ONDRAF/NIRAS) is entrusted by law with the safe transportation, treatment, conditioning, storage and disposal of all radioactive waste produced in the country and with some aspects of decommissioning. Belgoprocess, a subsidiary of ONDRAF/NIRAS, operates the radioactive waste treatment, conditioning and storage facilities of the Mol-Dessel site and manages the former Eurochemic site.

Belgian companies supply about 80% of the systems and equipment for the country's nuclear facilities. The nuclear steam supply systems (NSSS) are provided by Westinghouse and Framatome (now Framatome-ANP), associated with Alstom ACEC Energie and Cockerill Mechanical Industry (CMI).

The reactor vessels, reactor internals, primary pumps, steam generators, pressurisers, piping, and instrumentation and control (I&C) systems are made in Belgium. The manufacturers and contractors participate in servicing the operating Belgian nuclear power plants.

The Association Vinçotte Nuclear (AVN), a non-profit organisation, is an inspection organisation authorised by the FANC to perform safety assessments and inspections of the nuclear facilities in Belgium.

Figure 2. Location of nuclear sites in Belgium

Supply of nuclear power plants

There are no Belgian companies supplying nuclear steam supply systems (NSSS). Architect, engineering and consulting services for nuclear power plants and facilities are performed by three companies:

Tractebel Engineering: Is among the leading design firms in the world, it provides contractor and architect-engineer services (pre-project studies, site selection and qualification, feasibility and optimisation studies, basic and detailed engineering, construction, supervision and start-up) and full engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) solutions. Power systems engineering, under the responsibility of Tractebel Engineering, represents about 50% of its activities, half of which are nuclear engineering services for NPPs, including turnkey projects.
Belgonucleaire: Is a subsidiary of Suez-Tractebel (16%), Electrabel (34%) and SCKoCEN (50%) and has engineering expertise in MOX fuel utilisation, manufacturing and manufacturing plant design, and radioactive waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities.
Belgatom: Is jointly owned by Suez-Tractebel (80%) and Belgonucleaire (20%), and provides worldwide nuclear engineering services to the International market. The contracts signed by Belgatom are performed by the engineering division of Suez-Tractebel (Tractebel Engineering) and by the engineering division of Belgonucleaire. Belgatom has a close and continuous relationship with the key players in the Belgian nuclear energy sector, including Electrabel, SCKoCEN, Laborelec, Synatom, ONDRAF/NIRAS and Belgoprocess.

Most of the companies involved in nuclear component manufacturing or supply are members of Agoria, a professional federation covering 100 industrial companies in metalworking, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and electronics, transport equipment and plastic conversion. The main nuclear component suppliers, contractors and civil engineering companies are listed below:

ABB*	Mechanical and electrical systems
ABAY-TS*	Electrical and instrumentation systems
ALSTOM ACEC ENERGIE*	Generators, primary pumps
ALSTOM BELGIUM	Pumps, valves, turbines
ALSTOM SYSTEMS&SERVICES*	Specific instrumentation and control systems (reactor protection, rod position indication and control, thermodynamics instrumentation, neutron flux instrumentation)
ALSTOM CONTRACTING*	Instrumentation for site security systems
ASCOM	Mechanical engineering
ATELIERS DE LA MEUSE*	Mechanical construction, fuel containers
CMI	Main mechanical NSSS components (such as steam and diesel generators)
ENI*	Electrical components
FABRICOM*	Piping, electrical equipment, ventilation
G.C.C.N. 1	Structural systems
IMOP	Piping, electrical, insulation
KABELWERK EUPEN*	Electrical cables
LEPAGE EURONUCLEAIRE	Mechanical equipment
LEMMENS SERVICES*	Decontamination, radioprotection, mechanical works
M.P.E. 2	Precision machined and mechanically welded assemblies
PAUWELS	Transformers
SIEMENS*	Mechanical and electrical supply systems
SOBELCO	Thermal engineering and construction
STORK MEC	Piping
TCM 3	Piping
WESTINGHOUSE	Mechanical and electrical supply systems

* Member of Agoria
1 Groupe Genie Civil des Centrales Nucléaires
2 Mecanique de Précision pour Equipements
3 Tuyauteries & Constructions Mosanes

Operation of nuclear power plants

Electricity supply (nuclear and non-nuclear) in Belgium is mainly carried out by Electrabel that provided in 2002 about 89% of the electricity supply to end users. Electrabel operates the Tihange and Doel nuclear power plants with a total net capacity of 5,761 MW(e), or 4.7% of the European Union's installed net nuclear capacity as of end 2002. As a nuclear operator, Electrabel ranks 13th worldwide in installed nuclear capacity. It owns Doel 1 and Doel 2, 50% of Tihange 1 (the other 50% is owned by EDF, France) and 96% of Doel 3, Doel 4, Tihange 2 and Tihange 3. The other 4% of Doel 3, Doel 4, Tihange 2 and Tihange 3 is owned by the Belgian utility SPE.

Operational engineering support is provided by Tractebel Engineering, a division of Suez-Tractebel, which takes part in important plant modifications such as: steam generator replacement; upgrading and backfitting; fuel fabrication procurement; core management and fuel handling and inspection services; quality assurance; in-service inspection; architectural/engineering services; project management and technical assistance.

Maintenance service suppliers: Most of the component suppliers and contractors listed below also provide maintenance services. The list below is not exhaustive, as Belgium is an open market and most contracts are concluded after a competitive tender process.

ALSTOM ACEC ENERGIE	Maintenance of generators, quality control and training in the field of primary components (reactor vessels, internals, primary pumps) and fuel handling equipment and systems
ALSTOM BELGIUM	Maintenance of valves, pumps, fans
ALSTOM SYSTEMS & SERVICES	Instrumentation and control systems
AREVA NP	Design, training, quality control, maintenance, inspection and repair work of primary components (reactor vessel and internals, steam generators), steam generator replacement, fuel supply, control rod, fuel handling equipment and systems
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES	Replacement steam generators
TECNUBEL	Maintenance and cleaning, decontamination, radio monitoring
WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC EUROPE	Design, training, quality control, maintenance, inspection and repair work of primary components (reactor vessel and internals, steam generators), steam generator replacement, fuel supply (EFG, Westinghouse Atom), control rod, fuel handling equipment and systems

Fuel cycle and waste management

Interfaces regarding the nuclear fuel cycle are shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Organisations covering the nuclear fuel cycle: Interfaces

Fuel cycle and waste management engineering services are provided by Tractebel Engineering, Belgonucleaire and their subsidiary Belgatom.

Two fuel fabrication plants are located at Mol-Dessel. The MOX fuel facility is owned and operated by Belgonucleaire and the uranium fuel facility is owned and operated by FBFC International, a subsidiary of Framatome-ANP. FBFC International manufactures uranium fuel assemblies and pressurized water reactor control rods and provides the final assembly of MOX fuel (all BWR and PWR types).

Synatom, a joint subsidiary of Electrabel and Suez-Tractebel, is responsible for the enriched uranium procurement and the spent fuel management for all Belgian nuclear power plants. It maintains ownership of the nuclear materials, at all times, prior, during and after use in nuclear reactors until final disposal. The Belgian state holds a "golden share" in Synatom, which entitles it to special voting rights.

Transportation services are provided by:

TRANSNUBEL	Fresh and spent fuel (uranium and MOX) transportation; design of handling systems for fuel containers.
TRANSRAD	Radioactive waste transportation; uranium transportation.

ONDRAF/NIRAS, the Belgian Agency for Management of Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials, is entrusted by law with the safe management of all radioactive wastes produced in the country, including their transport, treatment, conditioning, storage and disposal.

Belgoprocess, a subsidiary of ONDRAF/NIRAS, operates the radioactive waste treatment plant, conditioning and storage facilities of the Mol-Dessel site, as well as managing the Eurochemic site.

Engineering services for ONDRAF/NIRAS and Belgoprocess are supplied by Tractebel Engineering and Belgonucleaire via their joint subsidairy Belgatom.

For additional information on the Belgian radioactive waste management programme please see the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency's Radioactive Waste Management Programmes in OECD/NEA Member Countries.

Research and development activities

Nuclear research and development in Belgium is co-ordinated by the Federal Public Service Economy, Small and Medium Enterprises, Self-Employed and Energy (formerly the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Federal Government) and carried out mostly by the SCKoCEN (Belgian Nuclear Research Centre) at Mol. Nuclear research done by SCKoCEN is mainly confined to reactor safety experiments, reactor fuel and reactor materials examinations, radioactive waste disposal, decommissioning, radiation protection and health physics.

In April 1997, the BR2-high flux nuclear research reactor was restarted after two years of refurbishing. This research reactor specialises in irradiation and post-irradiation research for new fuels and structural materials. The reactor is also used for the production of medical and industrial isotopes and doping silicon. This production is integrated via an International co-operation with other research reactors, in order to provide a continuous supply of isotopes, as required by the medical sector.

MYRRHA, the study on an accelerator-driven multi-purpose neutron source (ADS), is a very challenging research subject. The preliminary research, executed at SCKoCEN, is related to the its scientific and technical feasibility and is performed within the framework of the European ADS-policy. The ADOPT-network has selected the SCKoCEN-project as the most probable ADS-system for European co-operation.

SCKoCEN's know-how of radiation damage in cells is the basis for a research programme in the ESA/MELISSA project. SCKoCEN is studying the stability of the genetic codes of bacteria to be used in the production of food and oxygen from human waste during space flights.

Research and development for the support of both nuclear and non-nuclear power plant operations is carried out by Laborelec, a central research laboratory of the utilities, Electrabel and SPE, and by Tractebel Engineering.

International co-operation and initiatives

Belgium is active in a number of International nuclear organisations including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) as well as other bilateral and multilateral organisations such as World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) .

Belgium is also involved in a number of European organisations set up to improve safety of nuclear power plants in countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe:

RAMG (Regulatory Assistance Management Group) was formed by western safety authorities to assist in the setting-up of Eastern safety authorities [AVN];
TSOG (Technical Safety Organisation Group) is an association of technical support organisations in EU member countries to advise the Eastern European safety authorities [AVN];
CASSIOPEE (Consortium d'Assistance Operationnelle aux Pays d'Europe de l'Est) is an EEIG of EU agencies responsible for radioactive waste management and storage [ONDRAF/NIRAS].

Belgium participates in programmes and projects for developing and promoting new advanced NPP technology:

EUR (European Utility Requirements) common requirements for building future LWRs in Europe, written by European electricity producers [Tractebel Engineering];
EPRI programme for ALWR Certification in the USA [Tractebel Engineering];
EPP (European Passive Plant) programme for developing Westinghouse type passive nuclear plants in Europe [Tractebel Engineering];
EFET (European Fusion Engineering and Technology) - industrial consortium for the engineering of fusion reactors [Belgatom].

Belgium participates in several International R&D programmes:

Pressure vessel steel projects (materials behaviour in the framework of plant lifetime extension) with the IAEA, Kurchatov Institute of Russia, and VTT of Finland [Tractebel Engineering];
Halden reactor project (Norway) project run under the auspices of the NEA. [SCKoCEN, Belgonucleaire, Tractebel Engineering, AVN];
Benchmarking of the RELAP (thermohydraulic) code in the framework of the International user's group (member of the code assessment and maintenance programme - CAMP);
VIP (Venus International Programme) - with Tractebel Engineering participation - to assess neutronics codes for MOX fuel by performing experimental tests in the VENUS reactor with the UK and Japan as scientific partners. VENUS is operated by the Belgian nuclear research center SCKoCEN [Belgonucleaire];
RASPLAV project to study core melt cooling inside the reactor vessel, a joint research programme with the Russian Federation and 14 other countries. RASPLAV is sponsored by the OECD NEA [Tractebel Engineering];
FIGARO: Irradiation and examination of two high burn-up MOX fuel rods for fission gas release analysis [Belgonucleaire, Tractebel Engineering];
ARIANE: Evolution of isotopic composition of MOX fuel during irradiation. [Belgonucleaire, Tractebel Engineering].

Human resources development

The Belgian nuclear research centre co-ordinated a project within the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Commission for the co-ordination and harmonisation of nuclear engineering training: the European Nuclear Engineering Network (ENEN). With the Sixth Framework Programme currently in place, the ENEN project was finished and has been superseded by the: Nuclear European Platform for Training and University Organisations (NEPTUNO). The underlying objective of these projects is to safeguard nuclear knowledge and expertise through the preservation of higher education in nuclear engineering. In the Sixth Framework, this initiative will result in a coherent European network, coping with the dwindling nuclear know-how at the university level. Through co-operation between universities and research centres, better use will be made of teaching capacity, scientific equipment and research infrastructure.

On the national level SCKoCEN has, in co-operation with five Belgian universities, organised a special course. The inter-university programme in nuclear engineering is organised within the framework of the Belgian nuclear higher education network (BNEN) which leads to a post-graduate degree of "Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering". The universities involved are the University of Leuven (KUL), the University of Louvain (UCL), the University of Gent (RUG), Liège University (ULg) and the University of Brussels (VUB). The nuclear engineering programme is a one-year programme: from October to mid-July. In the majority of cases, subject to special request and approval, the programme can be spread over two academic years. Applicants must hold a Belgian university degree or equivalent. The language of instruction is English.

The programme consists of a set of general courses followed by some elective advanced courses, on-the-job training and a thesis. The programme schedule stimulates the students' mobility during the preparation of their thesis. This is achieved by on-the-job training in industry, in research centres or in universities within Belgium and Europe. Lectures are given at the Belgian nuclear research centre SCKoCEN. Laboratory exercises make use of the SCKoCEN nuclear facilities. Various technical visits are organised to both research and industrial nuclear facilities.

Historical development and current nuclear power organisational structure

Overview

The first nuclear power development began during World War II, when Belgium started uranium production in its mines in Africa and signed a nuclear technical co-operation agreement with the USA. Nuclear power development was accelerated after the 1970s oil crisis. The main milestones are as follows:

1949	Government of Belgium grants purchasing priority of the uranium resources in Congo to the governments of the UK and the USA.
1957	Belgian engineers take part in the commissioning of the first commercial nuclear plant in the United States.
1960	Franco-Belgian convention and creation of SENA (Société Nucléaire franco-belge des Ardennes) on the principle that everything from funding to studies and energy production should be shared equally.
1962	Commissioning of the BR3 PWR prototype plant (11 MW) in Mol. This reactor was the first imported from the United States.
1965	Creation of Synatom (Syndicate for the design of large capacity nuclear power plants).
1966	Commissioning of the Franco-Belgian (Chooz A) Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) (305 MW).
1966	Decision to build Doel 1 and 2 NPPs (ordered in 1968) and Tihange 1 NPP (ordered in 1969)
1973	Oil crisis and decision to build Doel 3 NPP, Doel 4 NPP, Tihange 2 NPP and Tihange 3 NPP (ordered in 1974).
1974	Commissioning of Doel 1 NPP
1975	Commissioning of Doel 2 and Tihange 1 NPPs.
1977	Synatom becomes a nuclear fuel management company (Belgian company for nuclear fuel).
1980	Creation of the National Organisation for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials (ONDRAF/NIRAS).
1982	Commissioning of Doel 3 and Tihange 2 NPPs.
1985	Commissioning of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 NPPs.
1985	Exhaustive backfitting process for Doel 1, 2 and Tihange 1 NPPs.
1986	Architect-engineering companies ELECTROBEL and TRACTIONEL merge to create TRACTEBEL.
1988	The construction of an 8th unit (N8) of 1400 MW (50 per cent Electrabel - 50 per cent EDF) is indefinitely postponed by the Government.
1990	Private electricity producers INTERCOM, EBES and UNERG merge to create Electrabel.
1991	Decommissioning of Chooz A NPP.
1993	First steam generator replacement in Belgium at Doel 3 NPP.
1993	The first Belgian parliamentary debate on the reprocessing and use of MOX fuel leads to the suspension of the reprocessing contract signed between Synatom and COGEMA in 1991. The active reprocessing contract signed in 1978 could be carried out, but no new reprocessing contracts were to be signed. From 1993, both options for the back-end of the fuel cycle were to be considered on an equal basis and had to be assessed in detail over the next five years. The authorisation to use MOX in Belgian NPPs is granted in order to consume plutonium obtained from past and active reprocessing contracts for Belgian spent fuel.
1994	Royal Decree authorising the loading of MOX fuel in Doel 3 and Tihange 2 NPPs.
1994	Promulgation of the law with respect to the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC).
1995	First loading of MOX fuel in Tihange 2 (March) and Doel 3 (June) NPPs.
1995	Commissioning of a dry interim spent fuel storage facility on the Doel site.
1995	Creation of the co-operative company CPTE (Company for co-ordination and Transmission of Electrical Energy) by Electrabel (91.5%) and SPE (8.5%).
1997	Commissioning of the wet interim spent fuel storage facility on the Tihange site.
1997	In April, NIRAS/ONDRAF presents the various options for the final disposal of low level and short-lived waste to the authorities.
1997	A new law of December 12 defines a new mission for NIRAS/ONDRAF: establish an inventory of all nuclear facilities and sites containing radioactive waste and its financing.
1998	The Belgian government decides on a new approach for the search of disposal sites for low level and short-lived radioactive waste; it limits the research to existing nuclear zones or areas where the municipalities have shown interest.
1998	In December, the Belgian government orders the cancellation of the reprocessing contract signed in 1991 between Synatom and COGEMA and which it suspended in 1993. It postpones the debate about spent fuel management for a year pending the results of ongoing technical and economic studies. The government's decision doesn't ban further reprocessing of Belgian spent fuel, but forbids Synatom to conclude a new contract without its formal approval. In addition, an expert commission is set up to assess the country's future electricity supply options.
1999	Installation in February of the government-appointed commission AMPERE (Commission d'Analyse des Modes de Production d'Électricité et de Redéploiement des Énergies). The commission is given eighteen months to assess the electricity demand and the options for the future of power generation in Belgium in the 21st century.
1999	In July, the new government announces the closure of all Belgian nuclear power plants after a 40-year lifetime and introduces a moratorium on reprocessing.
2000	In December, the joint-venture EURIDICE (European Underground Research Infrastructure for Disposal of Nuclear Waste in Clay Envrionment) between ONDRAF/NIRAS and SCKoCEN is created. The joint venture is now responsible for the management and operation of the underground research laboratory HADES and the realisation of the Praclay project.
2000	In April, the first 28 containers with vitrified high-level radioactive waste, resulting from the reprocessing of Belgian spent fuel in La Hague (France) are returned to Belgium. The second repatriation takes place in November.
2000	In December, the AMPERE Commission publishes its report, which runs to more than 1000 pages. One of its key findings is to recommend Belgium keeps the nuclear option open and to therefore take other measures. The report is evaluated by a group of five International experts selected by the government.
2001	In February, the repatriation of the third batch of containers with vitrified high-level radioactive waste resulting from the reprocessing of Belgian spent fuel in La Hague (France) is completed.
2001	In May, the group of five International experts publishes the conclusions of their evaluation of the report of the AMPERE Commission. The experts corroborate the findings of the AMPERE Commission on a large number of points, in particular the preservation of the national nuclear energy know-how.
2001	During the outage of Tihange 2, which started on 9 June and ended on 11 August, all three steam generators are successfully replaced. The steam generator replacement was executed in the new record time of 17.5 days.
2001	In September, the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC), established by the Federal Act of 15 April 1994, becomes operational.
2001	In December, an agreement is reached between the Belgian government and the electricity sector on financing the dismantling of old nuclear installations at the Mol and Dessel sites, and on the management of the provisions for spent fuel disposal and dismantling of the Belgian nuclear power stations.
2002	In February and September, repatriation of the fourth and fifth batches of containers with vitrified high-level radioactive waste, resulting from the reprocessing of Belgian spent fuel in La Hague (France) is completed.
2002	In July, the SAFIR 2 Report (Safety Assessment and Feasibility Interim Report) on high-level radioactive waste disposal in Belgium was presented by ONDRAF/NIRAS to the competent federal authorities. The report confirms Boom clay as a potential host formation, as well as the technical feasibility of the construction of an underground repository in this clay. The report was peer-reviewed by the NEA.
2003	In January, the Belgian Senate approves the legislation on phasing out Belgian nuclear power plants no later than 40 years from the date on which operations started (Federal Act of 31 January 2003).
2003	In the same month, ONDRAF/NIRAS submits to the government the first inventory report of all nuclear sites or facilities containing radioactive substances on Belgian territory.
2003	In July, the Federal act of 11 April 2003, regulating the provisions for decommissioning of Belgian nuclear power plants and for the management of spent fuel from those nuclear power plants, is published.
2003	In the same month, the general assemblies of Electrabel and SPE agree to split their joint venture CPTE with retro-active effect from 1 January 2003.
2003	In September, repatriation of the sixth batch of containers with vitrified high-level radioactive waste, resulting from the reprocessing of Belgian spent fuel in La Hague (France) is completed.

National laws and regulations

For additional information on national laws and regulations concerning nuclear power please see the chapter on Belgium in the NEA Analytical Study of Nuclear Legislation in OECD countries.

Note 1

Safety authority and the licensing process

Licensing takes place under the authority of the Minister of Labour and the Minister of the Interior (Royal decree of August 7, 1995), who have the guardianship over the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC). These Ministers and the Agency are responsible for promulgating and enforcing regulations designed to protect the employees of the nuclear plants and the population against the hazards of ionising radiation. The Agency is assisted in technical matters by a Scientific Council of experts and representatives from various authorities responsible for nuclear safety. They have only an advisory role. The Commission gives recommendations by absolute majority. State approved agencies, such as the Association Vinçotte Nuclear (AVN), carry out official acceptance procedures for installations prior to commissioning and exercise supervision over installations during operation. Final authorisation for nuclear plant commissioning rests with the King of Belgium.

The main steps in the Belgian licensing procedure are described below:

Filing of an application: The request for the licence is first sent to the Director General of the FANC, together with the relevant information (characteristics of the installation, planned safety measures, an Environmental Impact Assessment, a study of the premises and the demographic, geological, and meteorological characteristics of the area of the installation). The request has to contain a preliminary safety report and a report describing the situation of the environment;
The Scientific Council is consulted a first time. After the council has given its preliminary advice, it is sent to the applicant. Then the European Commission is also consulted (if necessary) according to Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, as well as all the municipalities within a 5 km radius around the installation (who in turn inform their population) and the Province involved. After the advice of the municipalities, of the Province and of the European Commission have been received, the file is submitted to the Scientific Council once more, which then gives its definitive advice;
The Minister of Labour and the Minister of the Interior then decide by submitting a Royal Decree to the King. This Royal Decree gives the construction and operation licence. It contains the conditions to be respected. These stipulate the required content of the safety report;
After the construction of the installation, and before the start of the operation, the agency or the state approved agency, proceeds with the verification of the installation. This verification must establish the conformity of the installation with general regulations, the stipulations of the construction and operation licence and the safety report. If the acceptance is favourable, the Minister of the Interior requests the King to confirm the construction and operation licence, which are then granted for an unlimited period.

Main national laws and regulations governing nuclear power

Royal Decree of 15 October 1979:

Founding of the Inter-ministerial Commission for Nuclear Safety and State Security in the nuclear field against hazards arising from the use of radioactive substances.

Act of 9 February 1981 and Royal Decrees of 12 May 1989 and 16 July 1993:

Regulations for the exportation of nuclear materials, nuclear equipment and nuclear technological data.

Act of 22 July 1985, amended in 2000:

Defining third party liability pertaining to nuclear energy generation as outlined in the Paris Convention of 29 July 1960, and the Brussels Supplementary Convention of 30 January 1963.

Act of 11 January 1991

Mission of The Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials (ONDRAF/NIRAS).

Act of 15 April 1994 and Royal Order establishing General Regulations for the Protection of the Population, Workers and the
Environment against the Dangers of Ionising Radiation 20 July 2001:

General Regulations for the protection of the population, workers and environment against the hazards of ionizing radiation and founding of the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) (replaces the Act of 29 March 1958 and the Royal Decree of 28 February 1963)

Act of 31 January 2003 (published in the Official Bulletin of 28 February 2003):

Regulates the phase-out of nuclear energy in Belgium by stipulating that all 7 Belgian nuclear power plants must be shut down no later than 40 years from the date on which they entered operation.

Act of 11 April 2003 (published in the Official Bulletin of 15 July 2003):

Regulates the provisions for decommissioning of Belgian nuclear power plants and for the management of spent nuclear fuel from those nuclear power plants.

Current issues and developments affecting nuclear power

Energy policy

By means of the federal act of 31 January 2003, the political authorities have decided to abandon the use of fissile nuclear energy for industrial electricity production. This was done by prohibiting the building of new nuclear power plants and by limiting the operational period of existing nuclear power plants to 40 years. The act does not affect the operation of research facilities, and does not rule out fusion as a future technology. The phase-out can only be overridden by new legislation or by a government decision based on recommendations from the regulator (CREG) if Belgium's security of supply would be threatened by closing the plants.

Power upgrades of the existing nuclear power plants, through steam generator replacement and turbine refurbishments, are authorised after approval of a licence adaptation application.

The use of MOX fuel in Belgian nuclear power plants is authorised, however limited to the quantity obtained from the reprocessed spent fuel from Belgian nuclear power plants at La Hague (France).

The return of Belgium vitrified high-level waste from reprocessed spent fuel from the reprocessing plant of COGEMA in La Hague, France to Belgium is authorised. At the end of 2003, six (of a total 15) shipments of 28 containers each have taken place. The first repatriation was in April 2000.

On 1 September 2001, the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC), responsible for the surveillance of nuclear activities, became operational. As a result, the regulations concerning nuclear safety and radiation protection have been modified thoroughly. Up to this date, regulations were governed by the act of 29 March 1958, and the accompanying Royal Decree of 28 February 1963, known as the General Radioprotection Regulation for the Protection of the Workers, the population and the Environment (GRR-1963). These regulatory texts were abolished in 1 September 2001 and respectively been replaced by the act of 15 April 1994 and the Royal Decree of 20 July 2001 (GRR-2001).

In the second half of 2001 negotiations took place between the Belgian Government and the electricity sector about the further financing of the dismantling of old nuclear facilities at the Mol/Dessel site on the one hand, and the management of the provisions for spent fuel and the dismantling of nuclear power plants on the other. An agreement in principle has been reached at the end of 2001, which can be summarised as follows:

The Belgian state will continue to finance the dismantling of the old Eurochemic-plant.
The electricity producers will continue to finance the dismantling of the old waste department of the SCKoCEN, and they will intervene for 25% in the dismantling of the old BR3-reactor of SCKoCEN. The corresponding amounts have been introduced at the European commission as stranded costs in the frame of the liberalisation of the electricity market.
The provisions for spent fuel and the dismantling of nuclear power plants have to be concentrated at Synatom, of which the Belgian state possesses a golden share, permitting it to block any decision of the governing board of the firm with respect to energy policy. The provisions will have to be supervised by a special committee, composed of financial and economic experts. The committee will report annually to the government and parliament.

The financing of the contribution by the Belgian state for the dismantling of old nuclear facilities was completely changed in 2002 by the government. A law has been promulgated which stipulates that, from 2003 onwards, the restoration of the old Eurochemic-plant, the dismantling of the BR-3 reactor and the old waste department of SCKoCEN has to be covered by an extra charge on the electricity consumed in Belgium.

The new regulation for the management of the provisions for the dismantling of the nuclear power plants and for the management of the spent fuel is the object of the federal act of 11 April 2003, published in the Official Bulletin of 15 July 2003. The provisions are centralised at Synatom, which will be transformed into a 100% subsidiary of Electrabel. The Belgian state will keep its golden share. Synatom can lend a maximum of 75% of the provisions set up by Electrabel on normal conditions and at the rate applied for industrial credits, as long as the consolidated group Electrabel remains solvent. Synatom will report to a committee composed of governmental representatives on the forecasting for the setting up of provisions, the investment of the provisions and on the agreements with Electrabel for the attention of parliament.

Surveillance of nuclear activities after 11 September 2001

The surveillance of nuclear activities in Belgium is structured into three levels: the operator, an independent control organisation recognised by FANC and the FANC itself.

The criteria and obligations that have to be observed by the control organisations in order to obtain and keep their qualifications, are mentioned in Art.74 of the GRR-2001. Inspections of nuclear installations have to be entrusted by the control organisations, having obtained and individual qualification from the FANC,as outlined in Art.73 of the GRR-2001. AVN is the control organisation recognised by the FANC with regard to the performance of inspections in nuclear reactors or in waste processing installations.

The FANC is an autonomous government institution with legal jurisdiction. The Agency is governed by the Board of Directors. Its members are appointed by the Federal Government on the basis of their particular scientific or professional qualities. In order to guarantee the independence of these directors, their mandate is incompatible with certain other responsibilities within the nuclear and public sectors. The Agency is supervised by the Federal Minister of Internal Affairs via a government commissioner who attends the meetings of the Board of Directors.

In order to perform its tasks, the Agency is assisted by a Scientific Council. The composition and the competence of this council are determined by Royal Decree. The council consists of experts within the field of nuclear energy and certain safety disciplines.

The Agency exercises its authority with regard to the nuclear operator through one-sided administrative legal acts (the consent of the persons involved is not required) such as: the delivery; refusal; modification; suspension; withdrawal; authorisations; recognitions or approvals of licences. It organises inspections to verify the observance of the conditions stipulated in these licences, recognitions and approvals. The Agency can claim all of these documents in whatever form, from the facilities and companies under its supervision. Infractions with regard to the decisions of the Agency can be sanctioned.

The operation of the Agency is entirely financed by the companies, organisations or persons it renders services to. In practice this is done through non-recurrent or annual contributions at the expense of the holders or applicants of licences, recognitions or approvals; tariffs are determined by Royal Decree.

The above-mentioned statute attributes to the Agency the indispensable independence to enable it to impartially exercise its responsibilities as a regulator of nuclear activities.

Nuclear waste management issues

The current major developments in radioactive waste management in Belgium are mainly related to the return of vitrified high-level waste, the selection of final radioactive waste disposal sites and research and development on disposal of various waste categories.

Return of vitrified high-level radioactive waste

In view of the return of the vitrified high-level waste resulting from the reprocessing in France of Belgian spent fuel, the preliminary test and transfer programme with an empty transport container was successfully completed 24 February 2000.

Following the authorisation for three return shipments granted by the Minister of the Interior, the first 28 canisters of vitrified high-level waste was returned to Belgium 5 April 2000. The transportation by railway and lorry and the ultimate reception, after adequate control in the interim storage building, on the Belgoprocess site in Dessel all went smoothly. A second return transport took place on 17 November 2000. Control at the reception in the interim storage building confirmed that the containers complied with the norms and characteristics that are imposed by the authorities. The communication actions with regard to these transports were jointly taken care of by ONDRAF/NIRAS, Synatom and the Minister of the Interior, the latter acting as competent authority in this matter. Web-cameras in the storage building on the site of Belgoprocess allowed monitoring via the internet of all the operations dealing with the reception and manipulation of the containers.

By the end of 2003 six transports of vitrified high level radioactive waste had taken place, resulting in the interim storage of 168 containers on the Belgoprocess site in Dessel. In total, fifteen transports are planned over a period of ten years to return vitrified high-level radioactive waste from reprocessing at La Hague of 630 tU from Belgian nuclear power plants.

At the request of the federal government, which wants vitrified waste canisters' quality to be guaranteed and to comply with the safety requirements of long-term radioactive waste management. An additional scientific programme requiring both destructive analysis of a glass sample and non-destructive analysis of a vitrified waste canister will have to be carried out in close co-operation between ONDRAF/NIRAS, SCKoCEN and COGEMA. Because of the complexity of the programme, results are not expected before 2006.

Selection of radioactive waste disposal sites

As far as low-level and short-lived waste is concerned, ONDRAF/NIRAS have continued to concentrate their activities on the existing nuclear zones in Belgium, following the decision of the Belgian federal government of 16 January 1998. Among these zones, Dessel (where Belgoprocess is located) and Mol (SCKoCEN) witnessed considerable progress with the establishment of local partnerships. The aim of these local partnerships is to involve the various local actors (political, social, and cultural) in the development of activities that may result in a disposal project proposal that can be integrated into a more global project with a positive impact for the zone concerned and can be accepted by the local population and authorities.

After the creation of a partnership in Dessel in September 1999 (called STOLA), a second partnership was established in Mol in February 2000 (called MONA). Both partnerships have created several working groups to study various issues and an integrated disposal project might involve (location, social-economical impact on the region, local development compensations, environment, and safety). They have also developed their own websites to inform the local public.

In Fleurus/Farciennes, a local information committee was first created to follow and assess the results of a preliminary geological survey of the IRE nuclear site that was undertaken at the request of local authorities. In 2002, the site investigations have concluded positively for a near surface disposal, after which the decision to create a local partnership was taken by both communities. It was established in October 2002 under the name PaLoFF (Partenariat Local Fleurus/Farciennes). The authorities of the nuclear zones of Tihange and Doel have not changed the opinion they formulated in 1999 (no participation in a local partnership).

Research and development on radioactive waste disposal

Research on deep geological disposal in clay layers of high-level waste was performed according to the 1998-2003 research and development programme, signed in 1998 by the various parties involved. Significant progress was made with regard to the Praclay demonstration experiment, particularly with the "Ophélie" mock-up and excavation of a 80m long connecting gallery from the second access shaft to the existing high activity disposal experimental site (HADES) underground research laboratory (URL), finalised in March 2002. In a future experimental perpendicular gallery, the feasibility of the underground disposal concept for high-level radioactive waste will be demonstrated. The disposal concept to be tested is under thorough review.

Since January 2001, the Economic Interest Grouping (EIG Praclay) is in charge of the management of both the HADES underground research laboratory and the Praclay project implying joint operation of all the underground and aboveground research facilities. Consequently, the articles of association and the name of EIG were changed on 21 November 2000 into the "european underground research infrastructure for disposal of nuclear waste in clay environment" (EURIDICE).

The results of research conducted on the feasibility of the geological disposal of vitrified high-level waste in the boom clay layer during 1990-1999 are described in the report safety assessment and feasibility interim report 2 (SAFIR 2) that was submitted to the government in July 2002. It was peer-reviewed by the NEA.

Nuclear energy and climate change

The current (2003) government focuses its energy policy on the reduction of greenhouse gases in order to reach the reduction quota outlined in the Kyoto Protocol (for Belgium a reduction of 7.5% from the 1990 levels). Therefore, the government is using different measures for example: reducing taxes on 'clean' energy; taking measures for energy saving in industry; transport and households; as well as promoting the construction of large wind farms offshore with capacity for nearly 6-10% of the national electricity needs.

It is expected that despite planned measures and goodwill, it will be very difficult for Belgium to achieve the Kyoto goals. Belgium has to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by about 15% (7.5% as the Kyoto goal plus approximately 7.5% corresponding to the increase of the greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2002). The nuclear phase-out will not help meeting this target, even when taking into account that the nuclear phase-out in Belgium will only start in 2015, after the first Kyoto commitment period.

Appendix 1 - International, Multilateral and Bilateral Agreements

Appendix 2 - Directory of the main organisations, instituions and companies involved in nuclear power-related activites

References

Related NEA publications

SAFIR 2: Belgian R&D Programme on the Deep Disposal of High-level and Long-lived Radioactive Waste
An International Peer Review
This report presents the common views of the International Review Team established by the NEA Secretariat on behalf of the Belgian Government to perform a peer review of the SAFIR 2 report. It was produced by the Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials (ONDRAF/NIRAS) to describe the research, development and demonstration activities in the Belgian programme on the disposal of high-level and long-lived radioactive waste in a deep geological repository excavated within an argillaceous formation.

Belgium

Nuclear power situation

National laws and regulations

Current issues and developments

Nuclear power situation

Nuclear power plants: Status and operations

Current organisational chart

Supply of nuclear power plants

Operation of nuclear power plants

Fuel cycle and waste management

Research and development activities

International co-operation and initiatives

Human resources development

Historical development and current nuclear power organisational structure

National laws and regulations

Safety authority and the licensing process

Main national laws and regulations governing nuclear power

Current issues and developments affecting nuclear power

Energy policy

Surveillance of nuclear activities after 11 September 2001

Nuclear waste management issues

Nuclear energy and climate change

Related links

Related NEA publications