The 1,006 megawatt (MW) plant, installed in the Flemish Region on the banks of the Scheldt near Antwerp, produced electricity for four decades. Doel 3 is the first reactor to be shut down as part of the exit from nuclear energy. Belgium still has six nuclear reactors in operation: three others in Doel (Flanders) and three in Tihange (Wallonia).
During its 40 years of activity, Doel 3 had to be closed unexpectedly for three years. In 2012, “microcracks” were discovered in the steel walls of the reactor vessels of Doel 3 as well as Tihange 2. It was only in 2015 that Doel 3 was authorized to restart, after in-depth investigations and the green light from the nuclear watchdog AFCN.
Although now disconnected from the electricity grid, the reactor will not be deserted by its workers. 40 years of activity correspond to two thirds of the life of the site, since there is still work for 17 to 19 years on site, explained Peter Moens, director of the Doel nuclear power plant.
In the days following the shutdown of the reactor, all its cables will be disconnected, the bolts of the reactor cover will be unscrewed and the reactor will be opened. The shutdown phase will then begin, which lasts five years. The 157 fuel elements are taken out of the reactor and placed in cooling ponds, where they must cool under water for three to five years. The fuel is then placed in special containers which are stored on the Doel site pending final underground storage. The plant is also decontaminated of all radioactive particles during these first years. This is done by chemical flushing of the pipes.
It was only after five years that the dismantling of the reactor and the decontamination of the rest of the buildings began. In particular, the internal parts of the reactor will have to be cut. A process that will take at least another 10 to 12 years, followed by the demolition of the rest of the buildings.
The dismantling and decommissioning of Doel 3 represents a cost of approximately one billion euros, coming from the nuclear provisions constituted by the operator Engie Electrabel. A total amount of 6.3 billion euros is planned for the dismantling of the seven reactors at Doel and Tihange.
After the complete dismantling of all the Doel reactors, there will only be a depot in which the nuclear fuel will be stored until it is finally buried underground. Engie Electrabel assumes that these buildings will still be there for 80 years, i.e. until 2100.
The workers of the nuclear power plant will certainly not be indifferent to the shutdown of Doel 3, believes the director. A tribute is planned later for the staff.