Belgium to retake control of its nuclear facilities

Written by journalist Danylo Aleksandrov

Belgium will cooperate with French energy company to revitalize its nuclear energy sector as well as to regain control over it.
Belgium aims to make a new deal with French company Engie, which will enable the kingdom to control its nuclear facilities, as well to modernize them. This will diversify Belgian energy sector in light of Iran war and related crisis.

Previously, Belgium planned to completely reject nuclear energy by 2025, but these plans were severely undermined with the start of Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which caused a rise in prices on gas and electricity. Despite opposition from the Greens, in May 2025 the Parliament of Belgium repealed the law from 2003 which necessitated shutting down all of the country’s nuclear reactors.

On Thursday, Bart De Wever, the Prime Minister of Belgium, revealed a deal made with Engie. The motivation behind the deal is for Belgium to rely less on fossil fuels and have more control over its energy, as well as self-reliance. A study will be conducted on the possibility of state control over NPPs as well as stopping the ongoing activities regarding reactor decommissions. This takeover is planned to be complete by 1st of October, though it is unknown how much the kingdom will pay.

Belgian Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet praised the deal as a good decision that will provide stable and cheap supply of energy for the country, which in turn would make Belgium more autonomous in its energy sector.

Currently there are 7 nuclear reactors in Belgium – 4 in Flanders and 3 in Wallonia, with just 2 remaining in operation. Their operation was previously extended until 2035, but because of the ongoing crisis, Belgium may prolong it even further, at the same time returning other reactors to active work.