News
From VENUS to LEANDREA: building on years of research
The European EU-SMR-LFR programme aims to shorten the traditionally long timelines associated with nuclear projects by involving nuclear regulators from the very beginning of the reactor development process. To that end, an international pre-licensing programme has been underway since 2025, enabling the consortium to engage early with regulators and align on expectations and safety requirements.
As part of this programme, experts from FANC, CNCAN and the IAEA recently visited several SCK CEN facilities. During the visit, they were also introduced to another key asset for LEANDREA: the VENUS zero-power reactor, a unique research infrastructure that SCK CEN has been using since 2011 to conduct experiments on fast reactor systems.
This head start in terms of both expertise and infrastructure, combined with the early engagement of nuclear regulators through the pre-licensing process, is expected to help accelerate the development of LEANDREA.
Preparations for construction of lead-cooled demonstration reactor LEANDREA take shape
Commissioned by the Belgian federal government, SCK CEN is working on an innovative lead-cooled demonstration reactor known as LEANDREA. LEANDREA is intended to demonstrate lead-cooled fast reactor technology and will also serve as an irradiation facility for materials and nuclear fuels for fast reactors. The facility will also be used for research into applications other than electricity generation.
SCK CEN plans to start construction in 2030. To realise this ambition, a robust industrial supply chain is essential, in addition to technological expertise. With that in mind, SCK CEN brought together more than 250 representatives from 175 companies at the Building Belgium’s First Lead-cooled Demonstration Reactor event. The goal? To involve potential suppliers at an early stage, get an idea of their expertise and capabilities, and lay the foundations for long-term partnerships in preparation for the further design and construction phase of LEANDREA.
Research reactor BR1 celebrates its 70th anniversary
On 11 May 1956, Belgian Reactor 1, or BR1, was started up as Belgium’s first nuclear reactor. Today, seventy years later, it celebrates its anniversary. Over the years, BR1 has grown into a cornerstone of research infrastructure. What began as pioneering work in reactor and neutron physics has evolved into a versatile research facility, now used for the irradiation of electronic components, the calibration of nuclear measuring instruments, and the training of reactor operators.
