Belgium: Nuclear power plant shutdown raises electricity shortage concerns

Event

Belgium is expecting power outages this winter as the reopening of several nuclear power plants was delayed on September 21. State authorities announced that two reactors would remain offline until mid-2019, leaving the country with only one operable reactor out of seven and a power capacity below its peak demand in November. Another reactor is expected to resume operations in mid-November, which may lessen the effects of the blackouts. Frequent power outages, anticipated for around three hours toward the end of the day, are possible in the winter, especially in November.

Context

Belgium is in the process of repairing several of its nuclear power reactors after discovering problems with concrete in some plants.

Advice

Individuals in Belgium are advised to closely monitor updates to the situation, refer to advisories issued by local authorities, and anticipate power and telecommunication disruptions.