Belgium Plans to Nationalize Nuclear Power Plants

Belgian Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet has laid out a sweeping plan to nationalize the country’s nuclear power plants, bringing seven reactors under full state control in what would mark one of the most significant energy policy shifts in Europe this year. In a detailed interview on RTBF’s “Les Clés” podcast, Bihet explained that the government’s long-term nuclear ambitions had reached an impasse with French energy giant Engie, the current operator.

“Engie could no longer be the very long-term partner we wanted to have,” Bihet said. “So the simplest solution was for the state to take over its capacities, to be able to extend them and deploy this strategy of building new capacity in Belgium.”

A Reversal of Fortune for Belgian Nuclear

The nationalization plan represents a dramatic reversal of Belgium’s energy trajectory. In 2003, the country passed a law to phase out nuclear power entirely by 2025 — a decision that set off two decades of political battles over the future of the country’s energy mix. At its peak, nuclear provided 51.3% of Belgium’s electricity, according to Wikipedia.

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered a major policy shift. Belgium postponed the closure of its two newest reactors, Doel 4 and Tihange 3, extending their operations by ten years until 2035. Then in 2025, the newly formed Arizona coalition government — composed of N-VA, MR, CD&V, Vooruit, and Les Engagés — formally abrogated the phase-out law entirely.

Now, with five of seven reactors already shut down and Engie seeking to exit the nuclear business, the government has decided to take matters into its own hands. A letter of intent was signed with Engie on April 30, setting an October 1 deadline to reach a final agreement, as reported by La Libre.

The Technical and Financial Challenges

The nationalization plan faces formidable obstacles. Of Belgium’s seven reactors, only Doel 4 and Tihange 3 remain operational. Doel 3 and Tihange 2 were permanently shut down in 2023 due to irreversible hydrogen micro-bubble defects in their reactor vessels, and their decommissioning is already well advanced. Tihange 1, Doel 1, and Doel 2 were all shut down during 2025.

Bihet acknowledged that a comprehensive audit is needed to assess whether any of the closed reactors could realistically be restarted. “It’s about not buying a pig in a poke,” he told RTBF. “We’re conducting a whole series of audits and in-depth examinations to know if there’s an economic opportunity.”

The financial stakes are enormous. Decommissioning costs for the entire fleet are estimated at €15.1 billion, with the Synatom fund currently holding over €10 billion. Long-term waste storage for deep geological disposal could add another €8-10 billion, according to research cited by L’Avenir. A potential additional €3 billion contribution from Engie remains disputed.

Expert Reactions: Support and Skepticism

Energy experts are divided on the merits of the plan. Damien Ernst, professor of energy at the University of Liège, has strongly endorsed the nationalization, arguing that nuclear power is “fundamentally a state energy” given its century-long time horizons — 15 years for development, 80 years of operation, and 15 years for decommissioning, as 21 News reported.

But critics warn of significant risks. Johan Albrecht, an environmental economist at Ghent University and the Itinera think tank, cautioned that negotiations could drag on for years, leading to protracted legal battles. “There’s little point in embarking on a process that drags on for three or four years in negotiations and possible legal battles,” he told L’Avenir.

Environmental groups have voiced strong opposition. Jan Vande Putte of Greenpeace Belgium warned that taxpayers would bear the cost of nuclear waste, while Arnaud Collignon of Canopea raised concerns about conflicts of interest with state co-investment in nuclear, as reported by Greenpeace Belgium.

Strategic Autonomy and Regional Cooperation

Prime Minister Bart De Wever has framed the buyout as a matter of “strategic autonomy,” arguing that energy security cannot be left to private operators whose priorities may not align with national interests. The government views nuclear as complementary to renewables, not a replacement, and sees the nationalization as essential for both decarbonization and energy sovereignty.

Belgium is also strengthening regional ties. On May 14, Belgium and the Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance nuclear cooperation, covering research and development, knowledge exchange, and joint training programs, as VRT NWS reported. The agreement envisions shared expertise in small modular reactors (SMRs) and new build projects.

What’s Next

The coming months will be critical. By the October 1 deadline, the government must reach a binding agreement with Engie on the purchase price, the allocation of decommissioning liabilities, and the future of the closed reactors. An audit of the reactors’ condition will determine whether any can be restarted — a technically ambitious prospect given that most are 40-50 years old.

Beyond the immediate negotiations, Belgium faces longer-term questions about financing new nuclear builds, including SMRs, and whether the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (AFCN) will have sufficient resources to oversee an expanding nuclear program. The outcome of this nationalization effort will not only shape Belgium’s energy future but could serve as a precedent for other European countries grappling with the tension between private energy markets and state-led energy transitions.