The official foundation stone laying ceremony for Belgium’s new surface disposal facility for low- and intermediate-level short-lived nuclear waste took place today in Dessel. The milestone marks the start of construction on a project commissioned by ONDRAF/NIRAS and executed by JV NucleusSafe, a consortium of BESIX, Vanhout, Stadsbader Contractors, and Deckx.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever attended the ceremony, underscoring the national importance of this facility for the safe and sustainable management of nuclear waste. A symbolic time capsule was sealed within a concrete chest, leaving a message of forward-thinking responsibility for future generations.
Technical Features of the Facility
The new surface repository will ensure radioactive waste is securely isolated, eliminating risks to both people and the environment for the long term.
- First Phase: 20 concrete modules, each measuring 25 x 27 meters and 11 meters high, with 80 cm-thick walls designed to prevent leakage and cracking.
- Construction Innovations: Special composite concrete, advanced formwork techniques, and single-pour wall casting.
- Raised Base: Modules rest on a 60 cm gravel layer topped by 2 m of sand-cement mixture, ensuring protection from rising damp and keeping the structure above the water table.
- Timeline: Construction of the first modules will take approximately five years, with filling operations spanning about 20 years.
During active use, the modules will be covered with a steel roof, later replaced by a permanent cover for long-term safety.
About JV NucleusSafe
JV NucleusSafe brings together the combined expertise of BESIX, Vanhout, Stadsbader Contractors, and Deckx. The collaboration emphasizes local engagement, with Vanhout and Deckx being long-established regional firms, ensuring both community involvement and optimal use of local expertise.
Mark Beyst, General Manager BESIX Belgium-Luxembourg, commented:
“Following our successful work on spent fuel repositories in Doel and Tihange, and the foundations for the PALLAS reactor in the Netherlands, we are proud to contribute again to essential nuclear infrastructure. This project aligns with BESIX’s and Vanhout’s proven expertise in managing and building complex, high-performance industrial facilities.”
Vanhout and Stadsbader also bring a history of collaboration, having partnered on the caisson plant for ONDRAF/NIRAS in 2006. Their track record of reliability and technical excellence strengthens the consortium’s ability to deliver this landmark project.
