Belgian nuclear reactors

A new report commissioned by the Greens/EFA group and presented today highlighted ongoing concerns and problems at two Belgian nuclear reactors (Doel 3 and Tihange 2). In response, the Greens called for the reactors, which are currently shut down, not to be restarted in this context. Commenting after the presentation of the report, Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms said:

"This report shows very clearly that the decision of the Belgian regulator to allow the operation of the two reactors in 2013 was premature and dangerous. Many unanswered questions and warnings by experts were ignored. This is completely irresponsible given the devastating consequences that could have resulted from the breaking of the reactor pressure vessel. As long as the origin of the defects remains unclear, and the questions put forward in this report are unanswered, Doel 3 and Tihange 2 must not be restarted."

Belgian Green MEP Bart Staes added:

"Until the Belgian authorities, and especially the nuclear control agency FANC, have given specific answers to the 56 technical questions posed by this report, the two reactors cannot be restarted. The director of FANC, Jan De Bens last year said publicly that he was 101% sure the restart was absolutely safe. We today ask him if he would be prepared to repeat these claims. We fear that the criticism on his lack of neutrality expressed last year, with De Bens being a former director of Electrabel, the operator of the nuclear plants, is founded. If he does not deliver on nuclear safety his position should be questioned by the Belgian government."

1) The report can be found at the following URL (pdf): https://www.aixlab.de/documents/11101/31062/Report_EN.pdf