Nov 4, 2025
Framatome chosen to update the control rod system of Tihange 3.
Belgium's Tihange Nuclear Power Plant unit 3 will undergo modernization of its control rod system over several years after Engie's Electrabel selected Framatome for the task. This initiative aims to extend the operational life of the 1 GW pressurized water reactor.
Framatome stated that the modernization will involve completely replacing control cabinets with Rodline technology, along with engineering, on-site installation, and maintenance work. This system is crucial for reactor control, ensuring accurate power regulation and automatic failover during unforeseen events.
Laurent Thieffry, Senior Executive Vice-President of Framatome’s I&C Business Unit, noted that this contract reflects Electrabel's renewed confidence in Framatome’s expertise in nuclear facility modernization and expresses pride in contributing to the safety and longevity of Belgium's nuclear fleet.
Background
Belgium's federal law from January 31, 2003, mandated the phase-out of all seven nuclear power plants. Initially, Doel 1 was set to be decommissioned on its 40th anniversary, February 15, 2015. However, amendments in 2013 and 2015 allowed Doel 1 to remain operational for an additional ten years, leading to its retirement earlier this year. Doel 3 was closed in September 2022, and Tihange 2 at the end of January 2023. Unit 1 of Tihange was taken offline for the last time after 50 years of operation on September 30. Doel 2 is scheduled to shut down this month.
This leaves Tihange 3 as one of the last two remaining nuclear reactors in Belgium, alongside Doel 3. Both were originally set to close this month under the 2003 nuclear phase-out law. However, following the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the government and Electrabel started discussions on extending the reactors' operation for another ten years, until 2035. A final agreement was reached in December 2024, with a balanced risk allocation.
Framatome stated that the modernization will involve completely replacing control cabinets with Rodline technology, along with engineering, on-site installation, and maintenance work. This system is crucial for reactor control, ensuring accurate power regulation and automatic failover during unforeseen events.
Laurent Thieffry, Senior Executive Vice-President of Framatome’s I&C Business Unit, noted that this contract reflects Electrabel's renewed confidence in Framatome’s expertise in nuclear facility modernization and expresses pride in contributing to the safety and longevity of Belgium's nuclear fleet.
Background
Belgium's federal law from January 31, 2003, mandated the phase-out of all seven nuclear power plants. Initially, Doel 1 was set to be decommissioned on its 40th anniversary, February 15, 2015. However, amendments in 2013 and 2015 allowed Doel 1 to remain operational for an additional ten years, leading to its retirement earlier this year. Doel 3 was closed in September 2022, and Tihange 2 at the end of January 2023. Unit 1 of Tihange was taken offline for the last time after 50 years of operation on September 30. Doel 2 is scheduled to shut down this month.
This leaves Tihange 3 as one of the last two remaining nuclear reactors in Belgium, alongside Doel 3. Both were originally set to close this month under the 2003 nuclear phase-out law. However, following the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the government and Electrabel started discussions on extending the reactors' operation for another ten years, until 2035. A final agreement was reached in December 2024, with a balanced risk allocation.