The partnership targets completing negotiations on the nuclear fleet acquisition by October 1, yet the exact costs for Belgium’s nuclear revival remain uncertain.
The Belgian authorities will collaborate with the French energy corporation to reintroduce nuclear power into their energy portfolio, as rising electricity costs—exacerbated by ongoing Strait of Hormuz disruptions and instability in the Middle East—have already driven inflation in the country to 4% by April.
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Belgium’s previous schedule to eliminate nuclear energy by 2025 was partially disrupted by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which triggered a sharp increase in natural gas and electricity rates.
The proposal to annul the 2003 Belgian legislation mandating the shutdown of all nuclear reactors faced opposition from the Greens, yet the Belgian legislature repealed it in May 2025.
Amid a new energy crisis propelling electricity prices over 50% higher and ongoing uncertainty regarding the Middle East conflict’s duration, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced on Thursday an agreement with Engie to perform feasibility studies for a complete transfer of the Belgian nuclear power plant and to suspend decommissioning processes.
«The government is prioritizing energy that is secure, affordable, and sustainable. This approach reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels and enhances control over domestic supply,» De Wever stated on Thursday.
The agreement finalized on Thursday aims to establish a formal takeover deal of the nuclear fleet by 1 October, although the financial details of Belgium’s nuclear resurgence have yet to be disclosed.
Belgium operates seven nuclear reactors: four located at Doel in East Flanders and three at Tihange in Wallonia. Currently, two reactors remain active: Doel 4 and Tihange 3. Their operating permits were recently extended through 2035, but due to vulnerabilities highlighted by the energy crisis, further extensions are under consideration by the government.
«Through this initiative, the Belgian government takes on the responsibility to secure the nation’s long-term energy provision, aiming to cultivate an economically and financially sustainable operation that bolsters supply security, climate goals, industrial stability, and socio-economic growth,» the joint press release from the Belgian government and Engie explained.
Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet described the government’s resolution as a «consistent political strategy» that will deliver lower energy prices and dependable supply while reinforcing Belgium’s strategic autonomy in energy.
«Less than a year post-enactment of the law enabling nuclear energy’s return in Belgium, this progress manifests itself through our commitment to reassert control over national assets and capabilities,» Belgian Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet told Euronews.
In 2024, under Alexander de Croo’s administration, Belgium hosted a pivotal nuclear summit, gathering representatives from eleven EU nations to endorse a declaration promoting nuclear energy expansion.
Two years later, Paris convened the nuclear summit where numerous countries pledged support for deploying small modular reactors as a measure against energy price volatility, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stating that phasing out nuclear power was a «strategic error».