Belgian nuclear reactorIn 1962, Belgium's first nuclear powered generation of electricity began with the inauguration of the BR-3 power plant at Mol by Minister Spinoy. The BR-3 Pressurized Water Reactor was the firstPWR-type in Europe. Construction began Jan 1956 and it ceased operation 30 Jun 1987 at the end of its Westinghouse license. The BR-1 was a research reactor put into operation at Mol in 1956 with thermal power of 4 MW. The BR-2 was a materials testing reactor at Mol in 1963 with thermal power 80 MW. Presently, Belgium produces 55% of their electricity from seven newer nuclear units, at Doel and Tihange, which generated almost 44 TWh in 1998. |
