Brussels, July 4, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) has officially approved the restart and continued operation of the Tihange 3 nuclear reactor, the agency announced on Friday.
This approval marks a significant step in Belgium’s energy strategy, as Tihange 3 — along with Doel 4 — is now set to remain operational for an additional ten years, extending its service until 2035. This extension follows a formal agreement between the Belgian government and operator Engie.
To secure the necessary clearance, Engie submitted a detailed technical dossier and an action plan outlining safety upgrades and maintenance work required to support the reactor’s prolonged operation. FANC has now given its formal consent after reviewing and approving these plans.
Tihange 3 has been offline since early April for extensive maintenance aimed at preparing the plant for its extended operational life. Critical tasks were undertaken during this shutdown, including the replacement of key components identified by the FANC as essential for long-term safety and performance.
Engie now has until September 2028 to complete the remainder of the required modernization works. In the meantime, the company is authorized to restart the reactor in the coming days, ahead of the initially agreed restart date of 1 November, allowing the plant to contribute to energy production before the start of winter.
The approval underscores Belgium’s continued reliance on nuclear energy as part of its broader strategy to ensure a stable and secure electricity supply during the energy transition period.
