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Annex C
BELGIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAMME
1985 saw the completion of an important stage in the development of Belgium's electric power programme. Electricity production rose to 54TWh. This increase of
This increase of 4.5% over 1984 followed the commissioning of two new nuclear stations in 1985, Doel 4 and Tihange 3. Belgian nuclear stations produced a total of 32.3TWh in 1985, 22.8% more than the previous year.
Measures taken to diversify energy resources and so reduce dependence on petroleum products are proving successful. The increase in nuclear energy output has meant savings of 30-54 billion Belgian francs, compared with equivalent costs for coal or oil-fired generation. Depending on the fuel used, one kilowatt-hour produced from coal is 24% more expensive than that from nuclear energy.
To enhance development of nuclear energy, Belgium and France signed an agreement in 1984 allowing Belgian electricity producers to take a 25% share in the two 1390MW French stations under construction at Chooz. EdF will take an equivalent share in a future Belgian station. This 1390MW station to be sited at Doel (near Antwerp) is Belgian's eighth nuclear station and due to come on stream in 1995. Belgatome, a subsidiary of Belgonucleaire which acts as a lead contractor, is the organisation involved in nuclear engineering, fuel cycle including fuel fabrication handling.
NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS IN OPERATION
Power Station
Type of reactor
Net output (MWe)
Commissioned
Doel 1
PWR
392
February 1975
Tihange 1
PWR
870
September
1975
Doel 2
PWR
392
November 1975
Doel 3
PWR
900
October
1982
Tihange 2
PWR
900
June
1983
Doel 4
PWR
1,000
July
1985
Tihange 3
PWR
1,000
September
1985