Electrabel, a Belgian power utility controlled by French group GDF Suez (GSZ.FR), is preparing to restart two nuclear reactors shut since last summer after the country's regulator Friday authorized their reopening.

Belgium 's Federal Agency for Nuclear Control said in a statement that it lifted the restrictions imposed on two nuclear reactors in two separate plants in Doel and Tihange after a thorough review of the facilities convinced it that the reactors were in full compliance with 11 separate criteria.

The statement also said there were still some steps Electrabel would have to take before and after the restart of the nuclear facilities and that it was now expecting a "specific restart plan" by the company.

In a separate statement, Electrabel said it is starting the process of restarting the reactors.

The Belgian regulator ordered the two reactors shut last summer after tests carried out with new technology found small cracks in the steel of the reactor containment vessels.

Electrabel said it sent in April the results of its own tests that showed the presence of what it refers to as "flakes" arose during the forging stage of the vessels and are stable. "The structural integrity and load bearing capacity of the vessels are not affected and meet all the safety criteria," Electrabel said in its statement.

The company hasn't said exactly when it expects its reactors to be operating at full capacity.

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