Detailed timeline

1969

29 October 1969: start of SYNATOM

SYNATOM is created with the aim of researching, building and operating all nuclear facilities in Belgium.
At the end of the 1960s, construction of the first Belgian nuclear power plants at Doel and Tihange gets underway.

1977

Amendment of the Articles of Association

SYNATOM’s corporate object is defined as follows: to ensure the management of the front-end and back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle in Belgium.

1983

Participation of the Belgian State

The Belgian State acquires a 50% participation in SYNATOM via the National Investment Company. Its name then becomes: Société belge des combustibles nucléaires SYNATOM, or “SYNATOM” for short. 

1994

The Belgian State sells its participation

The Belgian State sells its participation in SYNATOM. All shares, except one, are acquired by SUEZ-TRACTEBEL. The state maintains a “golden share” which is the right to veto any decision that would be contrary to Belgium’s energy policy.

2003

Adoption of the nuclear phase-out act, ending industrial electricity production.

On 31 January 2003, the Belgian government passes a law for the gradual phase-out of nuclear energy and a ban on new nuclear power plants.

Amendment of the Articles of Association 

Under the Act of 11 April 2003, SYNATOM also becomes the Belgian nuclear provisioning company. It becomes responsible for covering the costs related to the dismantling of nuclear power plants and management of irradiated fissile materials in Belgian nuclear power plants.

Introduction of the Nuclear Provisions Commission

The Act of 11 April 2003 also provides for the establishment of a Nuclear Provisions Commission. It issues opinions and monitors the creation and management of nuclear provisions by SYNATOM.

2004

Sale of SUEZ-TRACTEBEL shares

SUEZ-TRACTEBEL sells the shares it holds in SYNATOM to ELECTRABEL.

2013

Amendment of the nuclear phase-out act.

On 18 December 2013, the Belgian government amends the act of 31 January 2003 on the gradual phasing out of nuclear power. It authorises Tihange 1 to operate for 50 years instead of the 40 years initially mention in the 2003 act.

2015

Amendment of the nuclear phase-out act

On 28 June 2015, the Belgian government once again amends the nuclear phase-out act. It authorises the Doel 1 and 2 reactors to operate for 50 years instead of the 40 years initially mention in the 2003 act.

2018

The last reprocessing waste returns to Belgium

On 4 July 2018, the last radioactive waste from the reprocessing of spent fuel assemblies from the Doel and Tihange nuclear power plants is transported back to Belgium. This reprocessing waste is finally stored on the site of BELGOPROCESS (subsidiary of ONDRAF) in Dessel.

2022

Act of 12 July 2022

This act strengthens the framework applicable to provisions set aside for the decommissioning of nuclear power plants and the management of spent fuel. It also strengthens the prerogatives of the Nuclear Provisions Commission.

2023

Agreement between the Belgian Government and ENGIE

On 13 December 2023, the Belgian Government and the ENGIE Group sign an agreement for the 10-year operating extension of the Tihange 3 and Doel 4 reactors.    

2024

Act of 26 April 2024

This act translates the main principles of the agreement into legal texts, in particular the transfer of certain financial obligations relating to the management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. The Act of 26 April 2024 also provides for the reform of the nuclear energy sector and support mechanisms for the extension of the Tihange 3 and Doel 4 reactors.

Act of 26 April 2024 establishing HEDERA

HEDERA is the public law institution whose purpose is to assume financial responsibility for certain transferred nuclear obligations relating to the management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.

BE-NUC is created in May 2024

At the Closing, the Belgian state becomes a 50% shareholder in BE-NUC, the company that owns the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors, the operation of which will be extended by 10 years. The remaining 50% is held by ELECTRABEL.