Belgium reactor closure extended

Closure of the Doel-3 nuclear reactor near Antwerp has been extended for a further month to allow assessment of suspected cracks in the reactor core, according to the Belgian information site Lesoir.

Previously halted until the end of August, a spokesperson from the energy company Electrabel has confirmed the restart has been postponed until 30 September to allow an “in-depth analysis”, says Lesoir. Electrabel had previously stated that the reactor would not be restarted until the results from all further analyses have been received.