Belgium explains NPP silent again

goal - The Belgian electricity company Electrabel in the night from Thursday to Friday, at 1:00 pm, unexpectedly shut down its nuclear reactor Doel 3 because of a water leak. That is confirmed by the power company.

We have to decide to link the reactor of the net. There was in the non-nuclear portion is a limited loss to a pipe with water having a high temperature to the steam generators. To remedy this, it was necessary to link the center of the net, to remove insulation and perform the repair , explains a spokeswoman.

The power station is now held in 'hot shutdown' according to Electrabel. An exact timing for restarting could not be given immediately.

Another previously decommissioned power plant was once again put into operation. It is the central Aim 2, one of the four plants in place Purpose north of Antwerp, near the border with the Netherlands.

In recent weeks were also Doel 3 and one of the plants in the place Tihange again connected to the grid. These are two stations where earlier cracks were discovered.

It is intended that Sunday also started commissioning of Objective 1. The reactors Doel 1 and Doel 2 are among the oldest nuclear reactors in Belgium. They were commissioned in 1975. The plants would be shut down permanently, but the Belgian Government has extended the life span of ten years until 2025.