Belgium Evacuates Staff at Nuclear Plants After Terror Attacks

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Non-essential staff at Belgium's Tihange and Doel nuclear power plants were evacuated this week as security forces moved in to secure the sites following Tuesday's terrorist bomb attacks in Brussels.

The attacks claimed the lives of more than 30 people and injured hundreds of others.

Security forces including the police and the army were brought in at both plants over fears that another attack would be made. Non-essential staff were evacuated by plant operator ENGIE (EPA:ENGI) (Paris, France) at the request of the government. The plants remained operational throughout using minimal staff. Non-essential staff began returning to the plants today but Belgium's nuclear authority has requested that only contractors carrying out emergency or critical work be allowed back for the moment. Soldiers remain on site at both plants.

"Surveillance is stepped up with added security measures at nuclear plants," according to the Belga news agency. "Vehicles are being checked with police and army on site."

In February, investigators into the Paris attacks last November discovered footage of a senior Belgian nuclear official at the property of a leading terrorist suspect. The surveillance footage of the official's home, amounting to dozens of hours, had been secretly filmed by the terrorists, leading experts to believe that ISIS was targeting either the country's nuclear plants or the nuclear research facility at Mol. The identity of the official, who is part of the Belgian nuclear research and development programme, was not released by the government.

Belgium has seven nuclear reactors split between the Doel and Tihange plants, supplying about half of the country's power. In December, Industrial Info reported that Belgium's government had approved a 10-year extension of the lives of the Doel 1 and Doel 2 nuclear reactors in return for significantly higher tax payments from plant owner ENGIE. ENGIE agreed to pay an annual fee of $21 million for the extensions between 2016 and 2025. As part of the agreement, ENGIE has agreed to invest $740 million in Doel 1 and 2 to ensure safety and efficiency. For additional information, see December 10, 2015, article - Belgium Extends Lives of Doel Nuclear Reactors.

Last month, Sweden announced plans to add armed guards and dog patrols to its nuclear power plants to boost security, citing the worsening global security situation and the increase in terror attacks. For additional information, see February 11, 2016, article - Fear of Terror Attacks Forces Sweden to Boost Nuclear Plant Security.

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