Belgium to Nationalize Nuclear Power Fleet

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

Summary

Belgium's government continues to reverse the country's former anti-nuclear power position by agreeing to buy out the country's nuclear power fleet from French energy company Engie.

Belgium Seeks Energy Security

Belgium's government has announced its intent to take over the country's nuclear power fleet from French energy company Engie in an effort to secure its future energy supplies. 

The government and Engie have now signed a Letter of Intent setting out the framework for exclusive negotiations regarding the purchase of all of the nuclear assets. This will include the complete nuclear fleet of seven reactors, the associated personnel, all nuclear subsidiaries, as well as all associated assets and liabilities, including decommissioning and dismantling obligations. Nuclear power accounts for around 40% of the country's electricity. According to Industrial Info Resources data, the Doel site has four reactors while there are three at Tihange, but only two are operational: Doel 4 and Tihange 3. The other units were shut down between 2022 and 2025. As part of the deal, the government has ordered a halt to all decommissioning projects, signalling that it may  restart some units after the deal is done. The goal is to finalize a deal by October 1. 

Industrial Info Resources is tracking five nuclear power projects in Belgium worth roughly US$9.5 billion--three of which are decommissioning projects and two related to life extensions for Doel 4 and Tihange 3. Subscribers to Industrial Info Resources' Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.

Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever said that the decision will help secure the country's energy autonomy and reduce its reliance on fossil-fuel imports. "An agreement has been reached with Engie to define the conditions and initiate the necessary studies for a full takeover of the Belgian nuclear fleet. In the meantime, all decommissioning activities are being halted with immediate effect. This government chooses safe, affordable and sustainable energy, with less dependence on fossil imports and more control over our own supply."

Belgium's Nuclear Reversal

The move comes a year after the government voted to scrap plans to phase out nuclear power in the interests of energy security. At the time, the vote to repeal the 2003 ruling succeeded overwhelmingly by 108 votes to 8. Before that, Belgium was on track to shut all of its reactors by 2025, but in 2022, the Russia-Ukraine conflict prompted the country to extend its nuclear energy reliance by 10 years, offsetting closures. This was followed in 2024 with a deal between the government and Engie to extend the lives of its two operational reactors by 10 years to 2035. For additional information, see May 27, 2025, article - Belgium To Scrap Nuclear Phase-Out Plan.

Europe Turning Back to Nuclear

Following the European gas crisis in 2022, sparked by Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, and the current global fuel crisis caused by Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran, a number of European nations have been taking a renewed interest in nuclear power. The European Union (EU) awarded nuclear and gas-fired power temporary "green investment" status in 2022. By including them in the EU's sustainable finance taxonomy, they became eligible for green energy investment mechanisms that have boosted their popularity with investors. Last month, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen admitted that Europe should not have turned away from nuclear power in the wake of the partial meltdown of reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan in 2011. "While in 1990 one-third of Europe's electricity came from nuclear, today it is only close to 15%. This reduction in the share of nuclear power was a choice. I believe that it was a strategic mistake for Europe to turn its back on a reliable, affordable source of low-emissions power." For additional information, see March 23, 2026, article - EU Admits Mistake Turning Away from Nuclear Power.  

Key Takeaways

• Belgium's government is to buy back control of its nuclear power fleet from French energy company Engie.
• The deal will include all seven reactors, associated assets, staff and decommissioning responsibilities.
• Industrial Info Resources is tracking five nuclear power projects in Belgium worth roughly US$9.5 billion.

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).