DOEL 4 is a 2,910 MW nuclear power station in Flanders, Belgium. It is operated by Engie (Electrabel / BE-NUC). Based on reported annual generation of 20,680 GWh, it can supply roughly 5.9 million homes. It ranks #1 of 95 Belgium power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1985, it is around 41 years old — long-established. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, nuclear supplies about 33.1% of Belgium's electricity; the national grid averages 150 gCO₂/kWh (72.0% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1002223.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Capacity provenance
The public capacity above is the current source-record value. A 2026 tracker candidate lists 1,998 MW for Doel nuclear power plant, but it is not used as the public primary value until scope is verified (unit vs operating vs installed/project total).
Data provenance
Capacity and fuel are the upstream open-dataset record, not yet matched to a 2026 registry or GEM entry.
capacity: WRI GPPD; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
Technically it is described as pressurized water reactor. Nuclear plants split uranium to raise steam with no direct CO₂; they run as steady baseload with very high capacity factors and the longest operating lifetimes of any thermal plant.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 81%, from 20,680 GWh of reported generation
- Generation trend
- 11,720 GWh in 2015 and 20,680 GWh in 2017 (+76%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2016: 22,325 GWh; 2015: 11,720 GWh
- Share of Belgium nuclear capacity
- 48.6% of 5,982 MW across 4 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 2 of 4 dated nuclear plants in Belgium are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Reported generation trend
Annual generation (GWh), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Engie (Electrabel / BE-NUC).
Local climate & thermal context
This nuclear plant uses heat from nuclear fission to raise steam for a turbine-generator. It sits in a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 51.3°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
Heating degree-days here run 10% above the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.
Climate heat-demand index: 55/100 — this site sits in the mid third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a moderately corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C3 — Medium), with humidity / wetness the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #1 largest nuclear power plant of 4 in Belgium by capacity.
Belgium has 4 nuclear power plants in this dataset, together about 5,982 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Monsanto Oud-Lillo power station · Gas · 43 MW · Antwerp
- Lillo Degussa power station · Gas · 85 MW · Antwerp
- Zandvliet power station · Gas · 386.2 MW · North Brabant
- Covestro Oorderen power station · Gas · 43 MW · Antwerp
- Loghidden City · Solar · 13 MW · Flanders
- Wilmarsdonk Total power station · Gas · 129 MW · Antwerp
Location
Coordinates 51.3254, 4.2597 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is DOEL 4?
DOEL 4 is a 2,910 MW nuclear power plant in Flanders, Belgium, commissioned in 1985.
How much electricity does DOEL 4 generate?
DOEL 4 generates about 20,680 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates DOEL 4?
DOEL 4 is operated by Engie (Electrabel / BE-NUC).