Belgium wants its nuclear power plants back, the Greens: The reactors are dangerous

Two nuclear power plants in the country are closed due to defects discovered, the agency says everything is OK

An independent study commissioned by the Greens however says that the danger is being underestimated.

Belgium’s two nuclear power plants were closed after the discovery of some leakage in 2 reactors between July and September 2012 but will be reopened soon and put back into function. This decision puts the small kingdom and its citizens at risk, according the Green Group of the European Parliament. The Greens commissioned an independent research on the plants that would nullify the official one by the Federal Agency of Nuclear Control (AFCN), who on the other hand gave Electrabel, the company that produces electricity in the country, the go ahead to restart production. “The defects discovered in 2012 were not observed in the final check following the manufacturing system, even if it should have been discovered with the ultrasound instruments available at the time. This fact alone illustrates that the defects emerged; they have evolved or at least grown during the 30 years of activity. “But the AFCN doesn’t consider this a clear argument,” writes Professor Ilse Tweer in her studio.

The 2 Belgian nuclear plants, which overall contain 7 reactors, became operative in 1982 (Doel) and in 1983 (Tihange). Following the discovery of the fissures, which caused lower pressure in the cooling engine, the “AFNC only requested a light test of the reactor’s pressure to avoid destroying it. This test can therefore reveal a defect caused by this specific load, and now can certainly guarantee that the defect will not ultimately evolve during the operation of the plant.” For this, highlights Professor Tweer, “it is essential to bear in mind that the additional proof that are in play even being sufficient to tell us if the plant cannot be reopened, are not however sufficient to guarantee that the problem could not come up again in the future,” and perhaps in a more serious and dangerous way.

“Belgium has already taken a decision to get out of the nuclear arena, but is continuing to prolong the time of this objective. I don’t understand why they want to confront new risks and make the alarms irrelevant when they actually should be taken seriously” countered Rebecca Harms, Co-President of the Greens, who added: “it is not about leaving the nuclear arena or not, but only about accelerating a decision that has already been made. We need to reason in terms of security.” The Belgian government’s leader Elio Di Rupo reaffirmed the closing of the National Nuclear Reactor site but with a pending condition during his inauguration. The clause says that the centers will close if by 2025 they will be able to determine adequate alternative sources that guarantee the security and economic furnishing of electricity. According to the government program, Tihange must close in any case in 2025 and Doel between 2014 and 2015, in other words when they are 40 years old.

Muriel Gerkens, member of the Belgian Parliament for the Ecolò, explained that tomorrow the commission for nuclear safety will meet to discuss the agenda, and that they will present a project for laws that affirm, in case of reopening the nuclear plants, the manufacturing company must assume all responsibility for possible future incidents, and must guarantee having a warranty fund to sustain contingent emergency programs, equal to more than a billion Euro. “For years that let Belgians believe that we could not survive without nuclear power. We must look toward gas or thermal stations, the government must be more courageous, we must tell everyone that it is possible to produce energy with different methods” concluded Gerkens.

Alfonso Bianchi

To learn more:

Download the study commissioned by the Greens (in English)