Belgium to Construct Short Lived Low – and Intermediate-Level Radwaste Disposal Facility
Belgium started construction of the surface short-lived low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facility at the site in Dessel. A permit to construct and operate the facility was granted in 2023.
The Dessel facility will house all Belgian low- and intermediate-level, short-lived radioactive waste including that from nuclear power plants, hospitals, research institutes and the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. Currently, this waste is managed by national radioactive waste management agency ONDRAF/NIRAS’s industrial subsidiary Belgoprocess.
The storage phase will last about 50 years. Afterward, the site will be permanently covered by several natural and artificial layers to prevent water infiltration. Two green hills approximately 20 meters high will then appear in the landscape. After filling, the facility and its surroundings will be controlled for 300 years. After that, monitoring will no longer be necessary to ensure safety.