Who are we?
SYNATOM plays a key role in Belgium’s nuclear fuel cycle.
At a glance, SYNATOM:
- Ensures the supply of uranium to Belgian nuclear reactors;
- Develops and implements intermediate storage solutions for spent fuel;
- Creates nuclear provisions intended for dismantling and spent fuel management;
- Manages the financial assets that are a counterpart to the nuclear provisions.
On the technical side
SYNATOM is not an industrial operator. SYNATOM is a centre of expertise . The company enters into contracts with specialized companies and organizations to carry out its various missions.
On the financial side
SYNATOM is the nuclear provisioning company whose activities are covered by the Act of 12 July 2022, outlining the framework applicable to provisions set aside for the decommissioning of nuclear power plants and the management of spent fuel.
Technical activities
The front-end of the nuclear fuel cycle
We ensure a supply of enriched uranium to the operator of the Doel and Tihange nuclear power plants, on time and at the desired location. To achieve this, first we are active on the natural uranium markets and then on the markets for uranium conversion and enrichment services.
The back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle
We are taking all necessary actions to ensure the safe long-term storage of spent fuel assemblies. This intermediate step is conditional on ONDRAF’s requirements, which is ultimately responsible for all nuclear waste produced in Belgium.
Financial activities
SYNATOM provides very specific financial services. Under the Act of 12 July 2022, SYNATOM's role is reinforced as a provisioning company responsible for covering the financial costs of dismantling the Belgian nuclear power plants of Doel and Tihange as well as managing the spent fuel.
A legal body, the Nuclear Provisions Commission has been set up with the aim of ensuring the existence, adequacy and availability of the nuclear provisions created within SYNATOM. To achieve these goals, a triennial revision is performed of the provisions and SYNATOM’s monitoring of the investment policy for the management of financial assets corresponding to these provisions