All major global molybdenum-99 production facilities are now using low-enriched uranium targets instead of proliferation-sensitive highly-enriched uranium following the completion of work to convert Belgium's National Institute of Radioelements medical isotope production facility.

Three low-enriched uranium fuel test assemblies have successfully been tested in Belgium's BR2 research reactor. The Belgian Nuclear Research Centre plans to fully convert the reactor from using highly-enriched uranium in 2026.

Belgian engineering firm Tractebel has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Netherlands' NRG-Pallas to collaborate in providing engineering services for the construction of large nuclear power plants in the Netherlands.

Belgium has strengthened safety at its BR2 research reactor by improving training, maintenance, ageing management and the safety of experiments, according to an International Atomic Energy Agency team of experts. The team also found the need for further safety enhancements to the reactor's organisational structure and operating rules and procedures.

Test flights of drones fitted with equipment to identify and measure the radiation being emitted from a plume source have been conducted at the Mol site of Belgium's Nuclear Research Centre. Further tests flights are planned for later this year to prove a new, precise measurement technique.

A ground-breaking ceremony has been held in Mol in north-east Belgium to mark the start of construction of a facility to recycle radioactive residues from the production of medical radioisotopes. The RECUMO facility - which will recover uranium - is scheduled to begin operating in 2026.

The Belgian government has asked Engie to investigate whether the operation of the country's three oldest reactors - Doel units 1 and 2 and Tihange 1 - can be extended until 2027. The reactors are currently scheduled to shut down in 2025.

Unit 2 of the Tihange nuclear power plant in Belgium has been permanently shut down after 40 years of operation. The 1008 MWe (net) pressurised water reactor is the second to be shut down under the country's nuclear phase out policy.

French utility Engie and the Belgian federal government have signed an agreement with a view to restarting the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear power reactors in 2026 and operating them for a further ten years. Both units are currently scheduled to be shut down in 2025.

Unit 3 of the Doel nuclear power plant was disconnected from the grid at 9.31pm on 23 September, in accordance with Belgium's legislation on the gradual phase-out of nuclear energy. Doel 3 is the first of seven Belgian reactors to be taken out of service over the coming years.

The Belgian government and Electrabel have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent on continuing negotiations on the feasibility and terms for the operation of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 for a further ten years. The two sides aim to agree a binding legal agreement by the end of December.

The Belgian government has asked energy company Engie to see if it can extend the operating life of Tihange unit 2 until the end of the winter peak electricity season - but the company says it is not possible to do so at such short notice.