Belgium and Netherlands Sign Nuclear Energy Cooperation Deal

Belgium and the Netherlands have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to significantly strengthen their bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy, marking a major step in both countries’ strategic pivot toward atomic power as a cornerstone of their energy transition and energy independence goals.

The agreement was signed on 13 May 2026 at the fourth Belgium-Netherlands Nuclear Conference (BeNeNuc26) in Brussels by Belgian Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet and Dutch State Secretary for Climate and Green Growth Jo-Annes de Bat, as reported by RTBF.

A Complementary Partnership

The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration across multiple dimensions of the nuclear fuel cycle, leveraging the complementary strengths of both countries. Belgium currently operates two nuclear reactors — Doel-4 and Tihange-3 — out of an original fleet of seven, giving it substantial industrial expertise in running large-scale nuclear plants. The Netherlands, by contrast, operates a single 482 MW pressurised water reactor at Borssele that has been running since 1973, but is pursuing an ambitious expansion plan.

Under the agreement, the Netherlands will benefit from Belgium’s operational experience and industrial applications, while Belgium will gain from Dutch knowledge acquired through plans to build new nuclear plants and developments related to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), including site studies, permits, and component specifications, according to NucNet.

Scope of Cooperation

The MoU covers five key areas of collaboration. First, both countries will work on expanding their joint research and development base. Second, they will hold periodic meetings to intensify knowledge exchange. Third, “innovation missions” will be established to connect companies and research organisations across the border, strengthening the nuclear supply chain. Fourth, joint training programmes will be developed for nuclear sector workers — a critical need given that an estimated 10,000 workers will be required during peak construction periods, with an average of 5,000 over the entire build trajectory. Fifth, the agreement includes cooperation on the management, storage, and final disposal of radioactive waste.

As Belga News Agency noted, the two countries plan to organise joint innovation missions allowing companies and organisations to exchange expertise across borders, while shared training programmes for future nuclear workers are being considered as both countries expect thousands of workers will be needed for future reactor projects.

Political Context and Strategic Shift

The agreement comes at a pivotal moment for both countries’ energy policies. Belgium reversed its long-standing nuclear phase-out decision in 2025 amid energy security concerns following geopolitical tensions and the energy crisis. In late April 2026, the Belgian federal government entered exclusive negotiations with French energy giant Engie for a state takeover of all nuclear reactors, with heads of terms targeted by 1 October 2026.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, committed in 2025 to developing four new reactors as part of a coalition government agreement, with the Borssele site designated as the preferred location for two new units. The country is also actively exploring SMR technologies as part of its future energy mix.

European Dimension

Both ministers framed the agreement within a broader European context. Bihet stated that “future European nuclear projects will require robust value chains, high-level expertise, and close cooperation between states, research centers, and industry,” adding that Belgium and the Netherlands intend to “combine their strengths to contribute to the development of a more robust, innovative, and independent European nuclear ecosystem.”

De Bat emphasised the strategic timing, noting that the Netherlands is “at a crucial point” with plans to become more energy independent through nuclear power. “With Belgium, we can give the necessary impetus to our common ambitions,” he said, as quoted by the Dutch government. “We are thus strengthening the sector and also contributing to a broader European dynamic.”

Looking Ahead

The MoU is a non-binding political agreement, but it signals a clear intent to deepen bilateral nuclear ties. The inclusion of radioactive waste management is particularly significant, as both countries face similar long-term challenges and could potentially develop shared solutions or coordinated approaches. The agreement also builds on existing bilateral frameworks, including the NEXUS-NL consortium — comprising Amentum, Arcadis, Tractebel, and NRG/Pallas — which won a contract in late January 2026 to provide program management and technical solutions for new nuclear plants in the Netherlands.

As both countries move forward with their nuclear ambitions simultaneously, the cooperation framework established by this MoU could serve as a model for broader European nuclear collaboration, potentially expanding to include other nations such as France, which is also pursuing a major nuclear expansion programme.