OREANDA-NEWS. Nuclear power generation in Belgium was at its highest since June last month, as the 962MW Tihange 1 and 1.033GW Doel 4 reactors returned to the grid following maintenance.

The increase in nuclear output more than offset the impact of stronger power demand in October and lower imports resulting from maintenance on electricity interconnectors.

Belgium's Nuclear output averaged 2.75GW last month, up from a low of 1.58GW in September, and the highest since June, when production averaged just over 3GW, Belgian grid operator Elia said.

French energy firm Engie's Tihange 1 returned to the grid on 28 September after an unexpected shut down, while its Doel 4 unit came back on line on 17 October, further boosting nuclear generation. Doel 4 went off line for maintenance at the end of August.

But the 433MW Doel 2 reactor was taken off line on 23 October, ahead of its anticipated 10-year lifespan extension from 1 December.

Belgian Gas-fired generation dipped by 170MW to an average 1.33GW in October, while coal-fired output remained relatively steady at 380MW. Wind generation was its lowest this year at 182MW last month, down from 285MW in September, while hydropower output rose to its highest this year at 140MW.

The country's October power demand rose to 9.9GW, 320MW higher than the previous month, as cold weather triggered some early heating demand. Minimum temperatures in Antwerp were below the seasonal norm for much of October, dipping to 2.1°C at the end of the month — about 4.8°C below the typical average for the time of year.

Meanwhile, scheduled commercial net imports fell to 2.5GW last month — their lowest since May — because of maintenance on interconnectors as a fourth phase-shifting transformer at Zandvliet was installed to increase capacity on the border with the Netherlands. Elia restricted maximum power imports by 1.3GW to 3.3GW.

Once the maintenance is completed, Belgium's import capacity from the Netherlands during peak hours will rise to 3.4GW from 2.7GW.

Belgian nuclear availability is nearly 3GW, or 51pc of installed capacity, and will remain at this level until mid-December, when the 433MW Doel 1 and 2 reactors are scheduled to come back on line.

Engie and Belgian utility Electrabel have [until 30 November] (https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/1117471) to sign an agreement with the government on the units' 10-year lifespan extensions, which will allow the plants to operate until 2025. The reactors are at risk of permanent closure if an agreement is not concluded by the deadline. Electrabel operates the Doel plant on behalf of Engie.