In a significant policy shift, Belgium is moving to bring its nuclear power plants under state control. The government says it plans to buy the country’s entire nuclear fleet from French energy company Engie, calling it a key step to secure long-term energy supplies.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever said the move is about stability at a time when Europe is dealing with shaky energy markets and geopolitical tensions. “This government is choosing safe, affordable and sustainable energy,” he said in a post on X, pointing to reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels.
The two sides signed a letter of intent on April 30 to start negotiating a full takeover. That would include all seven reactors, along with staff, infrastructure, and long-term responsibilities like nuclear waste management.
As part of the plan, Belgium is also putting the brakes on shutting down some reactors that were due to be phased out. Only two of the country’s reactors are still functioning—the ones in Doel and in Tihange, whose licenses have already been extended to 2035. The remaining five reactors have been taken off-line and were slated for decommission, a decision that has now been put on hold to potentially reopen them. That effectively pauses a nuclear exit strategy that dates back to the early 2000s, when safety and environmental concerns drove policy.
The new policy shift comes after the latest energy shocks in Europe, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as the Iran crisis surrounding the Hormuz Strait, which exposed how dependent Europe is on imported energy.
For Engie, the deal would mark a step away from nuclear power—a step the company has expressed a desire to take.
“Engie has taken the decision to exit the nuclear sector,” De Wever told VRT News. “We respect that, but a country with nuclear ambitions and an operator that wants out is not a good combination.”
For Belgium, it’s an opportunity to extend reactor lifespans. But it won’t be simple or cheap. Talks are expected to be complicated, with costs for maintaining or restarting older reactors potentially reaching hundreds of millions of euros and timelines stretching from one to five years.
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from environmental groups and opposition parties, who have raised concerns about aging reactors and the burden on taxpayers. The head of the Flemish Greens, Aimen Horch, called the plan “irresponsible spending of billions,” and has requested clarifications regarding the expected costs from De Wever.
Supporters, meanwhile, argue that nuclear power remains a reliable source of low-carbon power at a time when Europe is under pressure to diversify away from imported fossil fuels.
Negotiations are set to continue over the coming months, with both sides aiming for a final agreement by October 1. The outcome could ripple beyond Belgium, feeding into a wider European debate. In March, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen called Europe’s earlier move away from nuclear power a “strategic mistake,” as rising global energy tensions renewed concerns about the European Union’s long-term energy security.
