Prime Minister Bart De Wever Lays Foundation Stone for Belgium’s Surface Disposal Facility for Radioactive Waste

Dessel, 18 September 2025 – Today marks a historic milestone in Belgium’s management of radioactive waste. Prime Minister Bart De Wever laid the symbolic foundation stone for the surface disposal facility of ONDRAF/NIRAS, the Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials, in Dessel. This facility will provide the final repository for the country’s low- and intermediate-level short-lived radioactive waste.

The disposal facility will consist of several concrete modules. Inside these modules, large concrete boxes (monoliths) will be placed, in which the waste is encapsulated with mortar. In total, 28,831 monoliths are foreseen, distributed across two zones: 20 modules in the first zone and 14 in the second.

Denys’ role

As contractor for lot 2, the electromechanical part of this landmark project, Denys is responsible for the installation of electrical and mechanical equipment and the advanced logistics systems required for placing radioactive waste in the repository. This scope includes:

• Construction of the railway infrastructure connecting the monolith production facility with the disposal modules;

• Design and construction of specialized trains for safe transport;

• Installation of turntables at both ends of the building to guide trains into the facility;

• Implementation of two overhead cranes to position the monoliths in the modules;

• Realization of all electrical installations powering and controlling the system;

All operations will be fully automated and remotely managed from the NIRAS control room, ensuring maximum safety and precision.

Proven expertise

Innovation has always been part of Denys’ DNA. With a strong R&D focus on automation, extensive experience in railway works, and decades of international expertise in the nuclear sector, the company brings unique know-how to this project. Over the past 20 years, Denys has contributed to the development, construction, or life extension of nuclear power plants in Flamanville (France), Borssele (Netherlands), Hinkley Point and Sizewell (United Kingdom) and Doel (Belgium). In all these projects, Denys has consistently delivered to the highest standards of safety, quality, and reliability.

Commitment to safety and sustainability

With NIRAS and all partners, Denys is committed to carrying out this mission according to the strictest requirements in terms of safety and transparency. This project is not only a technical achievement but also a vital step towards a safe and sustainable solution for radioactive waste management, protecting both people and the environment for generations to come.