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Belgium to Start Nuclear Phase-out in 2015; By 2025, all seven reactors will be shut.
From the second article below:
The government said that it had rewritten the 2003 law on nuclear energy so that its current stance could not be changed by decree, and therefore the timing of the phase-out "is now final." This certainty "should create a favourable investment climate which will allow us to gradually phase out nuclear power," it said.
http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/07/04/belgium-to-start-nuclear-phase-out-in-2015/
Belgium to Start Nuclear Phase-out in 2015
Published July 04, 2012
Dow Jones Newswire
Belgium Wednesday decided to extend the life of one of its oldest nuclear reactors by a decade to avoid the danger of blackouts while atomic power is phased out, but agreed to stick to a 2025 target date to exit nuclear power.
<snip>
The Belgium government decisions, at a meeting Wednesday, would see the phasing out of nuclear plants start in 2015, in line with a 2003 law. By 2025, all seven reactors--which are divided over two plants--will be shut. However, the lifespan of one of the country's oldest reactors would be extended by 10 years.
<snip>
Belgium's Mr. Wathelet, who Wednesday presented the plan to his colleagues after months of work, had proposed to start the shut down in 2016, but ministers decided to stick to a 2003 law mandating a nuclear phase-out starting in 2015.
<snip>
The previous Belgian government had proposed to extend the life of three reactors by a decade, but the government fell before any amendment to the 2003 law could be voted on and the idea was dropped by the present government.
<snip>
Belgium to Start Nuclear Phase-out in 2015
Published July 04, 2012
Dow Jones Newswire
Belgium Wednesday decided to extend the life of one of its oldest nuclear reactors by a decade to avoid the danger of blackouts while atomic power is phased out, but agreed to stick to a 2025 target date to exit nuclear power.
<snip>
The Belgium government decisions, at a meeting Wednesday, would see the phasing out of nuclear plants start in 2015, in line with a 2003 law. By 2025, all seven reactors--which are divided over two plants--will be shut. However, the lifespan of one of the country's oldest reactors would be extended by 10 years.
<snip>
Belgium's Mr. Wathelet, who Wednesday presented the plan to his colleagues after months of work, had proposed to start the shut down in 2016, but ministers decided to stick to a 2003 law mandating a nuclear phase-out starting in 2015.
<snip>
The previous Belgian government had proposed to extend the life of three reactors by a decade, but the government fell before any amendment to the 2003 law could be voted on and the idea was dropped by the present government.
<snip>
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP_Closure_dates_for_Belgian_units_2307121.html
Closure dates for Belgian units
23 July 2012
The Belgian government has announced the complete schedule for the forced closure of the country's nuclear power plants, claiming that the move will "create a favourable investment climate" to replace the 50% of domestic power supply that stands to be lost.
Political shutdown dates for four reactors were announced at the end of last week, complimenting those for three units announced on 4 July. Together they will see all the Belgian units close between 2015 and 2025, roughly in line with their 40th anniversaries, despite a previously determined policy that operation of older units to 50 years was in the country's best interests. Only one unit, Tihange 1, is permitted to operate to 50 years of age; an exception made specifically to avoid blackouts, said the government.
Reactor unit Capacity Start-up Shutdown
Doel 1 433 MWe 1974 2015
Doel 2 433 MWe 1975 2015
Doel 3 1006 MWe 1982 2022
Doel 4 1047 MWe 1984 2025
Tihange 1 962 MWe 1975 2025
Tihange 2 1008 MWe 1982 2023
Tihange 3 1054 MWe 1985 2025
Total 5943 MWe
The government said that it had rewritten the 2003 law on nuclear energy so that its current stance could not be changed by decree, and therefore the timing of the phase-out "is now final." This certainty "should create a favourable investment climate which will allow us to gradually phase out nuclear power," it said.
<snip>
Closure dates for Belgian units
23 July 2012
The Belgian government has announced the complete schedule for the forced closure of the country's nuclear power plants, claiming that the move will "create a favourable investment climate" to replace the 50% of domestic power supply that stands to be lost.
Political shutdown dates for four reactors were announced at the end of last week, complimenting those for three units announced on 4 July. Together they will see all the Belgian units close between 2015 and 2025, roughly in line with their 40th anniversaries, despite a previously determined policy that operation of older units to 50 years was in the country's best interests. Only one unit, Tihange 1, is permitted to operate to 50 years of age; an exception made specifically to avoid blackouts, said the government.
Reactor unit Capacity Start-up Shutdown
Doel 1 433 MWe 1974 2015
Doel 2 433 MWe 1975 2015
Doel 3 1006 MWe 1982 2022
Doel 4 1047 MWe 1984 2025
Tihange 1 962 MWe 1975 2025
Tihange 2 1008 MWe 1982 2023
Tihange 3 1054 MWe 1985 2025
Total 5943 MWe
The government said that it had rewritten the 2003 law on nuclear energy so that its current stance could not be changed by decree, and therefore the timing of the phase-out "is now final." This certainty "should create a favourable investment climate which will allow us to gradually phase out nuclear power," it said.
<snip>
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