According to Suez, the shut-down had no impact on electricity supply: Doel 4 provides just over 1,000 megawatts (MW) of power, of the country’s total nuclear generation of 6,000 MW.

Meanwhile, a leak at the research reactor BR2 at the study centre for nuclear energy in Mol, Antwerp province, last week has been repaired without any discharge of radioactive material. At no time was there a danger to public safety or the environment, the centre said.

The leak occurred in a secondary cooling system, and the reactor was shut down as a precaution. The only effect was the closure by police of a private roadway leading to the centre, onto which the cooling water escaped. A nearby hockey club was also evacuated.