Tihange Cooling Tower Demolition Frozen by Walloon Minister

Walloon Minister of Territory François Desquesnes has issued a decision that effectively freezes the destruction of the iconic cooling towers at the Tihange nuclear power plant, blocking the dismantling process and adding a new layer of uncertainty to Belgium’s nuclear future. While confirming the validity of the demolition permit granted to Engie, the minister imposed a suspensive condition that requires explicit federal government approval before any work can begin.

A Political Masterstroke

The ruling, announced on May 22 and reported by RTBF, stems from an appeal filed by the city of Huy against the demolition permit for the cooling towers of Tihange 1 and Tihange 2. Desquesnes described the case as a “mixed dossier” where Walloon regional competence in urban planning and environment is intimately linked to federal competence in nuclear energy.

“This is a mixed dossier where urban planning and environmental aspects are intimately linked to nuclear aspects,” Desquesnes explained. “The Walloon Region says that from an environmental and urban planning standpoint, there is no difficulty in the strict sense. But since it’s a mixed dossier, federal agreement is also needed.”

The practical effect is clear: no work, no site installation, and no equipment dismantling can begin without the green light from the federal Ministers of Energy and Interior.

Why Federal Approval Is Unlikely

The decision comes at a moment of profound tension in Belgian energy policy. The federal government led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever — known as the “Arizona coalition” — repealed the nuclear phase-out law in August 2025 and has made clear its intention to extend the life of Belgium’s nuclear reactors, including Tihange 1, which was shut down on September 30, 2025.

Federal Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet has expressed strong interest in restarting Tihange 1, making federal approval for the demolition of its cooling tower highly improbable. The decision effectively hands the federal government a powerful lever in its ongoing negotiations with Engie.

Engie’s Position and the State Buyout

Engie, the French energy company that operates Belgium’s nuclear plants, had already paused all dismantling work voluntarily. The reason: ongoing negotiations with the Belgian state regarding the buyout of the country’s nuclear fleet, with a deadline of October 1, 2026.

Engie CEO Vincent Verbeke has consistently opposed extending Tihange 1, calling it “unthinkable” and financially unviable. The Federal Nuclear Control Agency (AFCN) has also flagged that Tihange 1 does not meet current safety standards, particularly regarding aircraft impact vulnerability, and the cost of retrofitting would be prohibitive.

The City of Huy’s Victory

For Christophe Collignon, the Socialist mayor of Huy, the decision represents a significant win. The city had filed the appeal that triggered the ministerial review, arguing that demolishing the cooling towers would be an irreversible step closing the door on the region’s nuclear future.

“Clearly and in practice for the citizen, this means that the appeal by the city of Huy — which was the only one capable of suspending the decision — actually allows the federal government, if it wishes, to extend Tihange 1, or even Tihange 2,” Collignon said.

The nuclear plant is a major economic engine for the Huy region, and Collignon has emphasized that maintaining nuclear activity is “fundamentally important for our economic fabric.”

A Tangled Jurisdictional Web

The case highlights Belgium’s complex federal structure. The Walloon Region holds authority over urban planning and environmental permits, while the federal government regulates nuclear energy. Neither level can act alone on this “mixed dossier,” creating a jurisdictional standoff that could take months or years to resolve.

Meanwhile, the dismantling of Tihange 2 — which had already begun with federal authorization — is also blocked because Tihange 2 shares installations with Tihange 1, which lacks the necessary authorization.

What Comes Next

In the short term, nothing changes on the ground. Engie had already paused work due to the buyout negotiations. The ministerial decision merely formalizes a de facto freeze.

In the medium term, the decision strengthens the federal government’s hand in buyout talks with Engie. The cooling towers remain standing, preserving the option to restart Tihange 1 if the state acquires the nuclear fleet.

The long-term fate of Tihange 1 is now tied to the broader state buyout negotiations, with an October 1 deadline looming. If the state acquires Engie’s nuclear activities, it could potentially restart the reactor. If not, the demolition impasse continues, leaving Belgium’s nuclear policy in a state of suspended animation.

As La Libre noted in February, Desquesnes had promised his decision would not be political. In practice, it has proven to be a masterful political compromise — one that satisfies legal requirements, gives the federal government leverage, and effectively blocks demolition without explicitly saying so.