Belgian nuclear availability is expected to almost double before the end of the month with three reactors expected to return after Belgium’s nuclear regulator on Friday cleared the return of the 1 GW Tihange 2 reactor. In a statement, FANC said ultra-sound analysis during the current annual maintenance outage since April 1 showed no evidence of micro cracks (hydrogen flakes) inside the reactor core re-emerging after such issues in 2012 caused an extended outage with the unit only returning in late 2015. The regulator therefore had no objections to a restart which is currently scheduled by operator Engie Electrabel next Friday.
Platts 5th May 2017 read more »